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OUR FOREFATHERS; 






BY THE AUTHOR OF "CAROLINA I\ THE OLDEN TIME." 



CHARLESTON: 

8TEAM-P0WKR PRESS OP WALKER, KVAM3 * SJ. 

No. 3 Broad Street. 

1860. 



V"i. 



2 6? 



A REVERIE. 

BY L. D. 0. 

"Within my quiet chamber, sad and lone 
I sit and ponder — another year has flown ; 
Where are its trophies ? Echo answers — where ? 
A voice seems whispering to my heart — Despair ! 

Yet why despair ? when all around looks gay ! 
Cold winter's frown must yield to smiles of May ; 
Though chill'd our hopes, the sun will shine once more, 
Perhaps for me, burn brighter than before. 
Alas ! how oft when gloomy moments come, 
That voice "Despair," would crush the lone heart down ! 
But through the shadows comes a glimmering spark 
Of Hope, sweet solace of the sinking heart. 

Ah ! no ; thou ne'er wilt " lend the willing ear" 
To that dread spectre, whispering, heart despair ! 
True to thyself and others, let the conquest tell — 
A " heart triumphant" through Hope's potent spell. 

Cheer up, brave heart ! though youthful years have fled, 
" Girlhood's dreams," youth's airy castles sped ; 
Cheer up ! " Ambition" lives, " Hope" still burns bright. 
And o'er thy pathway sheds its cheering light. 

Charleston, S. C. January let, 1860. — Sunday. 



ADDRESSED 

TO MY YOUTHFUL FEMALE FRIEKDS. 

" Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth." 

Oh, happy creature ! on -whose brow 

The light of youth is shed, 
O'er whose glad path life's early flowers 

In glowing beauty spread, 
Forget not Him whose love hath poured 

Around that golden light, 
And tinged those opening buds of Hope, 

With hues so softly bright : 
But grateful to His altar bring 
The garlands of life's glorious spring. 

Thou tempted one! just entering 

Upon "enchanted ground," 
Ten thousand snares are spread for thee, 

Ten thousand foes surround ; 
A dark and a deceitful band ! 

Upon thy path they lower ; 
Trust not thy own unaided strength 

To save thee from their power; 
Cling, Cling to Him whose mighty arm 
Alone can shield thy soul from harm. 

Thou, whose yet bright and joyous eye 

Must soon be dimmed with tears, 
To whom the hours of bitterness 

Must come in coming years ; 
Teach early that confiding eye 

To pierce the cloudy screen, 
To where above the storms of life, 

Eternally serene ! 
A Father's love is beaming bright, 
A Father's smile still sheds its light. 

Oh, born to die ! the path of flowers 

Thou dost exulting tread. 
Leads to the dreary sepulchre — 

The silence of the dead : 
But if from youth thy spirit's love 

Hath to thy God been given, 
Death's icy hands will ope for thee 

The radiant gates of heaven ! 
Thei-e bliss immortal, joys divine ! 
Transcendant, endless, shall be thine. 

Sunday, January 1st, 1860. 



Charleston, January 2d, 1 800. 



'First know the compass, sail, and oar, 
Or never launch you from the shore. 
Before you build, compute the cost, 
And in no proud pursuit be lost." 



LETTER I. 

My Beloved Young Female Friends, — 

Regardless of the poet's admonition, and now, when I 
should have thrown off the burdens of life, and rested 
my weary bones in peaceful retirement, am I again 
plunging into the arduous and tliorny occupation of writ- 
ing a book, which must be submitted to the ordeal of 
the public, and run the gauntlet through a host of critics ; 
unless, in this great thoroughfare of business, fortu- 
nately none may find time to bestow a passing word of 
comment on one so lowly. 

We are told, that with us a new era is commencing, 
and that we are bound to help our own manufacturers; 
and have I not embarked on the sea of life as one of 
them? — working both by hand and head — and shall not 
my patriotism, at least, save me from bla»ne ? And as 
my book will have no particular literary worth, I shall 
be the more anxious to have it deserving of all praise in 
the matters of paper, binding and typography. And 



OUR FOREFATHERS 



now, to one and all of you, my dear young friends, I 
send it greeting, in the 'sincere hope, that its pages may 
serve, in some measure, to form your manners, correct 
your habits, strengthen your faith, and direct your steps; 
and that the words which pour light into your minds 
will continue to illuminate your understandings, and 
mould your feelings in the path to immortal life. Four 
years ago, when I ventured to put forth a work entitled 
'' Carolina in the Olden Time," at the close of that book, 
addressed to young gentlemen, occurs the following 
passage : "And now, having counselled the young men 
soon to enter upon the active duties and deceiving 
scenes of life, desire, in a second number, to address 
girlhood advancing to the years of maturity, "trem- 
blingly alive to all the most delicate emotions of the 
heart." This volume is intended as a fulfillment of that 
promise, in the sincere hope that it may conduce to your 
pleasure and encouragement through life. Therefore, 
although convinced that a reluctant subscription must 
fail to pay the expenses of publishing, have resolved to 
incur the risk, certain that it must involve me in serious 
pecuniary loss. Yet I look to a higher reward than dol- 
lars and cents could have proved — that of winning your 
respect and afiection, and of sometimes amusing the so- 
cial circles gathered in ijuiet homes at their bright fire- 
sides, where the author's merit, if she has any, will be 
freely acknowledged ; and her truthfulness and simpli- 
city find a proper degree of commendation and charity. 
There are those amongst you who already know that 
you share largely and warmly in my sympathies. The 
greater part of you are dwelling in the midst of a com- 
munity in which the most excellent and refined society 
exist, partaking freely of its advantages, without any- 
thing gloomy in your career, so that you must be fully 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 7 

conscious of its existence, and bound to avail yourselves 
of its benefits. Not a few of you, just bursting into wo- 
manhood, are becoming more and more lovely eacli day ; 
"as the opening rose reveals new beauty every time it 
rolls off an envelope, for then its tints of tenderer and 
more refined charms play upon its petals, the nearer you 
approach its heart." Yet be not vain of your personal 
attractions, since they too must fade, like those of the 
rose; far rather cultivate your hearts to overflowing with 
generous and happy feelings, and have them deeply im- 
bued with the love of God ; then shall you possess a sure 
refuge to which to turn, when the nameless inquietudes 
that beset us through life shall become your lot; with 
such a resource, even when your hours are loneliest, 
your burdens heaviest, temptations strongest, way dark- 
est, and friends fewest, there will come to you some 
bright and lucid moments when your spirits shall mount 
up as on eagles' wings. 

A few unreasonable persons have raised a captious 
objection to my having written over the nom de plume 
of the '* Octogenarian Lady," as a deviation from truth ; 
yet am I bordering so closely upon that venerable age, 
that it never occurred to my mind that it could be con- 
sidered unfair or at all blameable; gladly, however, will 
I now return to that of the "Ancient Lady" — the cogno- 
men over which I wrote the "Peep into the Past" — 
accidentally lost to me. It is proper that the difficulty 
should be made known, as in this volume will be re- 
peated many of the facts recorded in that work, for which 
I hold a copy-right. And thus you see, my dear young 
friends, that I certainly am an aged pilgrim, rapidly 
going down the wintry hill-side of life towards the valley 
of the shadow of death; "my eyes are growing dim to 
the loveliness of earth, my ears deaf to its music, and my 



OUR FOREFATHERS 



feet weary and heav}^ on its thorny road;" and, therefore, 
although really not quite eighty years of age, still vveii- 
qualified to advise and instruct you; pointing to heaven, 
the home of ail our hopes, and tlie end of life's weary 
pilgrimage, where we shall soon forget all of earth's sor- 
row, and have the last tear wiped from our eyes. Until 
then, let none of us share in the fashionable, but unholy 
and presumptuous curiosity of prying into secret things, 
from spiritual manifestations or table-rappings, con- 
vinced that they can come only from evil spirits, who 
seek to tempt us into disobedience of God's positive com- 
mands; yet remember, that so long as we continue 
happy in angelic sympathy, and pray for protection 
from those demons, we are safe, since well we know 
that "millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth;" 
^' unseen both when we wake and when we sleep," and 
that those holy beings, sympathizing with the Creator in 
all his schemes, enter with active interest in all his mer- 
ciful movements towards this fallen world. "And like 
obedient and loving children in their Father's house, 
they love what He loves, and poise on waiting wing to 
do what He desires to have done." "The poet's sen- 
timent, that their visits 'are few and far between,' 
which now, in cold eloquence, flows from the lips of so 
many, as to have become a musical proverb, is, after 
all, only a poetical infidelity and cold theolog3^" Far 
sooner let us prefer the Gospel declaration, that the an- 
gels have charge over us to keep us in all our ways, and 
be assured that the psalmist's assertion, that "the Lord's 
army encampeth us around" are not meaningless and 
idle words. Let us then never forget, that wherever we 
set our tent in our wanderings as pilgrims in this wilder- 
ness, the angels of the Lord will throw their encamp- 
ment around us, and finally through the valley of the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 9 

shadow of death, which, from a distance, looks gloomy 
and lonelv; they will attend us, conducting our souls to 
the place of their peaceful abode. Many persons be- 
lieve, that eager to receive the struggling spirit of those 
they desire amongst them, they often press through the 
veil, or lift it gently up to the dying Christian, whose 
vision for spiritual things is becoming bright in propor- 
tion as it becomes dim to earth. And thus may it be to 
you and I, my dear readers, when life shall close. 
Your sincere friend, 

<'The Ancient Lady." 



10 OUR forefathers; 



January 6th, 1860. 



' The past at Memory's touch 
Her Temple valves unfold; 
And from their gorgeous shrines descend 
The mighty men of old: 
At her deep voice the dead reply, 
Dry bones are clothed and live, 
Long perished garlands bloom anew, 
And buried joys revive !" 



LETTER II. 

GENERAL WASHINGTON. 

Designing to write of "Our Forefathers," it cannot be 
deemed irrelevant to the subject, first to introduce to you, 
my young friends, the pedigree of ''The Father of our 
Country." General George Washington, as traced and 
illuminated by Mr. Mapleson, the editor of " Pearls of 
American Poetry," he carries back his descent to 
'' William de Hertburn, Lord of the Manor of Washing- 
ton, in the County of Durham, England. From him 
descended John Washington, of Whitefield, in the time 
of Richard the Third ; and ninth in descent from the 
said John, was George, the first President of the United 
States. The mother of the John Washington who 
emigrated to Virginia, in 1657, and who was great grand- 
mother to the General, was Eleanor Hastings, grand- 
daughter to Francis, the second Earl of Huntington. 
She was the descendant, through Lady Huntington, of 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 



11 



George, Duke of Clarence — brother of King Edward 
the Fourth, and King Richard the Third, by Isabel 
Nevil, the daughter and heiress of Richard, Earl of 
Warwick, the king-maker. 

Washington, therefore, as well as all the descendants 
of the marriage, are entitled to quarter the arms of 
Hastings, Pole, Earl of Shrewsbury, Plantagenet, Scot- 
land, Mortiinore, Earl of March, Nevil, Montague, 
Beaucham, and Devereaux. 

Augustine, the son of Lawrence Washington, and his 
wife, Mildred, (the daughter of Augustine Warner, Esq., 
of Clouster,) of Wash'inr/ton Parish, Westmoreland county, 
Viro-inia, was born in 1694. He died the I2ih of April, 
1748, aged 49. His first wife was Jane, the daughter of 
Caleb Butler, of Westmoreland county. They were 
married on the 20th of April, 1715. She died on the 
24ih of November, 1728. Augustine's second wife was 
Mary the daughter of John Ball, Esq. Jhey were 
married on the 6th of March, 1730. She died on the 
25th of August, 1789, (ten years before George,) at the 
age of eighty-two years. Jane Washington's son, Caleb 
Butler, died in infancy. Her son Lawrence was born 
in 1718. He died at Mount Vernon, on the 26th of July, 
1752, aged thirty-four — leaving a widow and daughter. 
After their deaths, the farm was left to his half-brother, 
George. His wife was the daughter of William Fairfax. 
She was Anne, and they were married on the 1 9th of 
July, 1743. As a widow, she intermarried with George 
Lee. Jane, the third child of Jane Butler, died young. 
Augustine, her fourth, married Anne, the daughter of 
William Aylett. Mary Ball's son, George Washington, 
President of the United States, was born on the 22nd of 
February, 1732, in Westmoreland county, Virginia. 
He was married on the 6th of January, 1759, (one 



12 OUR forefathers; 

hundred and one years this day,) and died 14th of 
December, 1799, (New Style,) aged sixty-seven years. 
His wife was Martha, the daughter of John Dandridge, 
and widow of Daniel Parke Custis, of New Kent county, 
Virginia, She was born on the 6ih of May, 1782, and 
died on the 22nd of May, 1802, aged seventy years. 
Mary Ball's daughter Beltie, was born on the 20th of 
June, 1733. She married Fielding Lewis, (whose first 
wife had been Catharine, the daughter of John and 
Catharine Whiting.) Bettie lost many children, yet 
raised a family of five. Her son, Lawrence Lewis, mar- 
ried Eleanor Parke Custis, the youngest child of Lady 
Washington's only son, Daniel Parke Custis. She was 
sick at Mount Vernon, in 1799, whilst the noble-hearted 
man, who had so truly cared for herself and brother, lay 
dying. Her husband and brother had just started for 
New Kent, on business. Her sisters, Mrs. Law and 
Mrs. Peter, were sent for, but arrived too late to receive 
the General's blessing. 

Mary Ball's third child and second son, was Samuel, 
born on the 16th of November, 1734. He died in 178L 
aged forty-seven years, in Berkeley county, Virginia. 
His first wife was, Jane Champe. The second, Mildred 
Thornton; the third, Lucy Chapman; fourth, Anne 
Steptoe ; and the fifth, was a Mrs. Perren. Mary Bali's 
fourth child, was John Augustin, born on the 13th of 
January, 1735. He died in 1787, aged fifty-two years. 
His wnfe was Hannah, the daughter of John Bushrod, of 
Westmoreland county. Mary's fifth child was Charles, 
born on the 1st of May, 1738. He married Mildred, the 
daughter of Francis Thornton. Mary's sixth child was 
Mildred. She was born on the 21st of June, 1739, and 
died on the 20th of October, 1740. — Pedigree of Wash- 
ington of Sulgrave. Their Coat of Arms — Argent, two 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 13 

bars, gules-in-chief, three mullets of the second. Crest — 
a Raven, with wings indorsed proper, issuing out of a 
ducal coronet oiV Lawrence Washington, of Northamp- 
ton, and of Gray's Inn, Middlesex, Esq., had, as his first 
wife, Elizabeth, the widow of William Gough, of North- 
ampton ; second wife, Anne, the daugliter of Robert 
Pargiter, of Greiworth, Gent. The Lawrence Washing- 
ton, of whom I have written, was born at Warton, in 
Lancashire. His grandson, who bore his name, liad 
many children. Sir William Washingtn, the eldest 
of his sons, married the half-sister of George Villiers, 
Duke of Buckingham. The third was Richard. John, 
the second son, and Lawrence, the fourth, emigrated to 
Virginia in 1657, and settled on Bridge's Creek, on the 
Potomac River, County Westmoreland, where they be- 
came successful planters. John was soon engaged 
against the Indians. He rose to the rank of Colonel, 
and married Anne Pope, by whom he had Lawrence, 
John, and a daughter. Lawrence married Mildred 
Warner, of Glouster county. Their children were John, 
Augustin, and Mildred. Augustin's second wife, you 
know, was Mary Ball, the mother of the President of the 
United States. Thus, you observe, that George, who 
was born on the 11th of February, 1732, by the Old 
Style, or 22d by the New Style, (subsequently adopted 
in England, and in the Province of Carolina, in 1752,) 
was the great grandson of John, who arrived in 1657, 
and married Anne Pope, and after whom the parish in 
whicl> he located, was called, "'Washington.'' George 
was consequently the sixth in descent from the first 
Lawrence of Sulgrave, whose parents had been, John, of 
Warton, and the daughter of Robert Kilson, and sister 
of Thomas, alderman of London. From this date llie 
genealogy is unbroken. Upon the surrender of the 



14 



OUR FOREFATHERS 



monasteries in 1538, the Manor of Sulgrave, near Norih- 
amptonj which belonged to the Priory of St. Andrew? 
was given up to the Crown, that with other lands was 
granted to Lawrence. He lived to the 19th of February, 
1584. Robert, his heir, was twice married, and was 
the father of ten sons and six daughters. His father had 
four sons, and seven girls. Lawrence, the son of Robert, 
had seven sons — each of whom had seven sisters. The 
eldest son, you have been informed, was Sir William, of 
Packton ; and was father of Sir Henry, who so nobly 
defended Worster in 1046. John, the second son of 
Lawrence, grandson of Robert, great-grandson of Law- 
rence, great-greai-grandson of John, of Warton, was the 
man who came to Virginia in 1657. He was the great- 
grandfather of George, of deathless fame — the son of 
Augustine, the grandson of Lawrence. John had on his 
seal, a flying Griffin, as his crest. It was during the 
usurpation of Cromwell, that he left England. Lady 
Martha Washington, was the daughter of John Dan- 
dridge, of New Kent, and the widow of Daniel Parke 
Cuslis. Her son, J. P. Custis, was six years of age, 
and her daughter, M. P. Custis, four years of age, when 
she entered into her second matrimonial engagement. 
The latter died at Mount Vernon, in 1770, aged eighteen 
years — the former, nearly at the close of the war, in 
178L The death of his daughter, as a distinguished 
lady, was recorded a few years ago, in the New Orleans 
Picayune, as having occurred in Clark co., Virginia; 
no other than Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, a woman of uncom- 
mon endowments of intellect. She was Eleanor Parke, 
the youngest daughter of John Parke Custis, and Eleanor, 
the daughter of Benedict Calvert, whom he married in 
1773. 

Mrs. Lewis was born on the 31st of March, 1779, and 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 15 

became the wife of Lawrence Lewis, of Woodlawn, 
Fairfax co. — he was subsequently one of Gen. Wash- 
ington's executors, and was the son of Bettie, his only 
married sister, Mildred having died young. Mrs. Elea- 
nor Lewis left an only daughter, Frances Parke, the 
wife of Col. E. G. W. Butler, of the Parish of Iberville, 
Louisiana; and a sister, Mrs. Thomas Peter, of Tudor 
Place, District of Columbia. Also, an only brother, 
George Washington Parke Custis, of Arlington House, 
Virginia, now no more. Lady Washington, be it remem- 
bered, was of the old Calvert family, and a direct descen- 
dant of Sir George Calvert, to whom a charter for Mary- 
land was granted, in IG'^O, he having been created an 
Irish Peer, with the title of Lord Baltimore, in conse- 
quence of services rendered his sovereign, Charles the 
First, of England. H is desire was to provide an asylum 
for his Catholic brethren, who were, at that time, perse- 
cuted with relentless cruelty in Engrland and Ireland. 
He died before the charter was issued, hut it was 
granted to Cecil Calvert, his son and heir, who, in 1632, 
sent his TtwtuiB^ brother, Leonard Calvert, to settle the 
colony; he brought over two hundred persons, mostly 
Catholics. Arriving near the mouth of the river Poto- 
mac, he purchased a tract of land from the Indians, and 
named it Maryland, in honor of Henrietta Maria, the 
Glueen of Charles the First. By his just and liberal gov- 
ernment, he attracted settlers from all quarters, although 
none but Christian sects were tolerated in the colony. 
A change took place in the government. Cecil was 
deprived of his proprietorship, and Maryland became a 
Royal Province. But, in 1715, the Proprietary Govern- 
ment was re-established in his successor, the second 
Lord Baltimore. The only son of Lady Washington, 
married a distant cousin, Eleanor Calvert. 



16 OUR forefathers; 

Soon after the birth of George Washington, in West- 
moreland county, his father removed to an estate in 
Stafford county, on the east side of the river Rappahan- 
noc, opposite to Fredericksburgh, where he died, after a 
short illness, on the 12th of April, 1743, aged forty-nine, 
(George then eleven years of age,) and was buried at 
Bridges' Creek, in the tomb of his ancestors. In the 
concerns of business, he was methodical, skilful, honor- 
able and energetic. To each son he left a plantation. 
Lawrence's, near Hunting Creek ; Augustine's was in 
Westmoreland. To George, was left the lands and 
mansion where his father lived and died, in the County 
of Stafford. Samuel, John-Augustine and Charles, each 
had a plantation of six or seven hundred acres; his Bettie 
was well provided for. Confiding in the prudence of his 
widow, all the income was at her disposal until each 
child should be of age. This weighty charge of five 
children, the superintendence of their education, and 
the management of complicated affairs, demanded no 
common share of resolution, resource of mind, and 
strength of character. In these important duties, she 
acquitted herself with great fidelity to her trust, and 
with entire success. Her good sense, assiduity, tender- 
ness and vigilance, overcame every obstacle; and as the 
richest reward of a mother's solicitude and toil, she had 
the happiness to see all her children come forward with 
a fair promise into life; filling the sphere allotted to them 
in a manner equally honorable to themselves, and to the 
parent, who had been the only guide of their principles, 
conduct and habits. She lived to witness the noble 
career of George, who was applauded and revered by 
the whole world. How much do we owe to his mothei, 
for her early influence over him, forming his noblt 
character. He went to a common school, where the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 17 

teacher was only competent to impart the simplest ele- 
ments of knowledge ; who, when he had inculcated the 
mysteries of reading and writing, arithmetic and keep- 
ing accounts, had fairly exhausted his skill. If the 
pupils of teachers in the New World, at that time, 
aspired to higher attainments, they must leave their 
masters behind, and find their way without a guide. 
Tradition tells that George was inquisitive, docile and 
diligent; whilst his probity and demeanor were such as 
to win the deference of the other boys, who made him 
the arbiter of their disputes, ever satisfied with his judg- 
ment. For himself, at the age of sixteen, when he left 
school, he laid down " Rules of Behavior in Company 
and Conversation,'' fitted to soften and polish the man- 
ners, to keep alive the best affections of the heart, 
to impress the obligation of the moral virtues, to teach 
what is due to others in the social relations, and, above 
all, to inculcate the practice of a perfect self-control. 
This code had an influence upon his whole life. His 
temperament was ardent, his passions strong, and amidst 
the multiplied scenes of temptation and excitement 
through which he passed, it was his constant eflx)rt and 
ultimate triumph to check the one, and subdue the 
other. He had ever a respect for the claims of others, 
with civility for all. His brother, Lawrence, served as 
an officer at the siege of Carthagena, and in the West 
Indies. He was a well-informed and accomplished gen- 
tleman, who had acquired the esteem and confidence of 
Gen. Wentworth, and Admiral Vernon, the commanders 
of the expedition. He it was who obtained for his young 
bfother a midshipman's warrant, in 1746, when George 
was fourteen years of age ; it was done without his 
kjnowledge, yet the happy lad prepared, with a buoyant 
s^)irit, for his departure; but as the time approached, 



/ 



18 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

the solicitude of liis mother interposed with an authority, 
to which nature gave a claim. This decision must 
not be ascribed to obstinacy, or maternal weakness; 
her son's character and manners had already exhib- 
ited a promise full of solace and hope to a widowed 
mother, on whom alone devolved the charge of four 
younger children. To be separated from her at so ten- 
der an age, exposed to the perils of accident and the 
world's rough usage — without a parent's voice to coun- 
sel, or a parent's hand to guide — and to enter on a theatre 
of action which must forever remove him from her pres- 
ence, was a trial of her fortitude and sense of duty, 
which she could not be expected to hazard without re- 
luctance and concern. On leaving school, two years 
after, he went to reside with his generous brother, Law- 
rence, at his seat on the Potomac, called in compliment 
to Admiral Vernon. There he applied himself strictly 
to the study of mathematics and surveying. For the 
practice of the latter, at the age of seventeen years, 
he received £150 a year. He started on his first sur- 
veying expedition in March — on the 22d — one month 
after he was sixteen, accompanied by George, the son 
of Mr. William Fairfax, the father of Anne, the wife of 
Lawrence, w^ho was to him an excellent friend. 

George spent three years in his brother's family, yet 
often visiting his beloved mother, and the young ones at 
home with her. At the age of nineteen he was ap- 
pointed to take charge of the training of the Militia, as 
a Major. Just then he accompanied Lawrence to Bar- 
badoes, in 1751. Not improving in health, he removed 
to Burmuda, sending George for his wife to join him 
there; but before she had started,he grew suddenly worse ; 
so hastened to stop the party. He arrived at home, and 
sank rapidly into the grave, at the early age of thirty- 

i 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 19 

four, leaving an infant girl. His loss was keenly felt 
by many. The care of all the business at Mount Ver- 
non devolved upon George; still he was not drawn 
away from his public duties, nor his devotion to his 
mother and family, which continued unabated to the 
time of her death. 

Lady Washington was also descended from another 
ancient family, which migrated to Virginia in the person 
of the Rev. Orland Jones, of Wales. She was born in 
the County of New Kent, on the 6th of May, 1732, and 
at the age of '' sweet seventeen," was united to Colonel 
Daniel P. Custis of the White House, of the same 
county. His father, the Hon. John Custis, of Arlington 
House, a King's Counsellor, had matrimonial views of a 
more ambitious character, for his only son and heir, with 
Colonel Byrd's family, of Westover, who, for his influ- 
ence and vast possessions, was almost a Count Palatine 
of Virginia J but he preferred to make a match of affec- 
tion. They settled at the White House, on the banks 
of the Pamunky River, where he became a successful 
planter. Their first child, a girl, died in infancy, in 
1750. Daniel was born in 1751 and died in '55. Grief 
at his loss hastened his father to the tomb. He followed 
his cherished boy, in 1756. Martha was born in 1752, 
and died at Mount Vernon, in 1770, aged eighteen years. 
John Parke Custis was born in 1754 ; he died whilst in 
the service of his country. He was one of the Com- 
mander-in-Chiefs suite, and contracted the camp-fever, 
during the siege of Yorktown, in 1781, only iwenty- 
!<even years of age, leaving four children, namely, Eliza- 
beth, (Mrs. Law,) Martha, (Mrs. Thomas Beter,) Eleanor 
Parke, (Mrs. Lawrence Lewis,) and George Washington 
Parke Custis, late of Arlington House. The sudden 
ueath of J. P. Custis was a severe blow to his mother. 



20 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

He was her only child, brave and noble. He had just 
beheld the surrender of Cornwallis, on the memorable 
19th of October, was taken ill and removed to Eltham, 
in New Kent, where he was closely attended by Dr. 
Craik, chief of the medical staff. Washinjrton turned 
his back on the shouts of victory, and, followed by a 
single officer, rode, with all speed, to Eltham. He 
arrived at day-dawn, only to hear that there was no hope 
of a recovery. He threw himself on a bed, in a private 
room, absorbed in grief. The sufferer soon expired, 
when the General spent two hours with his mourning 
wife, then remounted and returned to the camp before 
Yorktown. Yet the world is not all made up of tears : 
let us dash ours aside, and smile over the first interview 
of the Pater Patriae and his future bride. Even he had 
been crossed in love. Mary Carey had discarded him 
and married Edward Ambler, (so, too, had Rebecca 
Burwell sent off Thomas JefTerson, and married Jaque- 
line Ambler — his mother was a Huguenot;) nor was that 
his only disappointment, yet time smoothed away the 
rough edges of those painful events ; he would not suf- 
fer them to leave him a prey to vexation and gloom. It 
was in 1758, that Col. Washington, attired in a military 
undress, attended by a body servant, (Bishop, who, with 
the fine English charger, had been bequeathed to him 
by the expiring Braddock, in 1755, on the famed, but 
fatal field of Monongahela,) tall and militaire as his 
Chief, crossed the ferry called "William," over the Po- 
munky, a branch of the York River, where the soldier's 
progress was arrested by one of those personages who 
give the beau-ideal of the Virginia gentleman of the eld 
regime the very soul of kindness and hospitality. This 
was Mr. Chamberlayne, who would listen to no excuse,^, 
as to why the Colonel could not stop and dine with him, 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 21 

yet the gallant officer surrendered not at discretion, for 
he was the bearer of important communications to the 
Governor of Williamsburg; until, on being told of the 
young and beautiful widow, just twenty-six years of age, 
sole executrix of a large estate, with a son only six, and 
lovely daughter of four years of age. He not only par- 
took of the dinner, but remained to pass the night. He 
and the lady were mutually pleased on this their first 
introduction. He was fresh from his early fields, redo- 
lent of fame, and with a form on which "every god did 
seem to set his seal, to give the world assurance of a 
man." No wonder that old Cully, in his hundredth 
year, should say of liim, '* he was like no one else ever 
I did see ; many of the grandest gentlemen were at the 
wedding, in their gold lace, but none looked like the man 
himself; and then, he sat a horse, and rode with such 
an air." The Rev. Mr. Masson, a Cambridge scholar, 
the Rector of St. Peter's Church, New Kent, performed 
the ceremony, on the 6ih of January, 1759. The happy 
couple soon removed to Mount Vernon, where they 
resided in peace and usefulness, until 1774, when Col. 
Washington was called to attend the first Congress, in 
Philadelphia; from thence to Cambridge, as Command- 
er-in-Chief, in 1775. And he returned not to his rural 
home until 1783. An aid-de-camp was sent after each 
campaign to attend his lady to the head-quarters of the 
army, the signal for the ladies of the General Officers to 
repair to their respective lords and masters. The Lady 
went in her plain chariot, with the neat postillions in 
their scarlet and white liveries. She had at first 
rei'nained with her husband until after the siege and 
ev/acualion of Boston, then retired to her quiet home. 
Ffom 1783 to '87, this united pair enjoyed again their 
much-loved country seat. Then he was called to pre- 



22 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

side in the Convention that formed the Federal Constitu- 
tion. In 1789, he left his beloved retirement, to assume 
the Chief-^yiagistracy of the Union. 

The General and lady bid adieu to their home with 
extreme regret. The journey to New York in 1789, 
was a continued triumph; arrived at the seat of govern- 
ment, they formed their establishment with a degree of 
dignity and regard for appearances, so necessary to give 
the infant republic respect in the eyes of the world. 
The equipages neat, with horses of the first order. The 
servants wore the family liveries, and they employed a 
steward and house-keeper. The President and his lady 
attended divine service at Christ Church in the morn- 
ing, and he read a sermon for his wife in the evening. 
They never received any company on Sundays, ex- 
cepting Mr. Speaker Trumbull. In the spring of 1797, 
they returned to Mount Vernon, where crowds pressed 
to offer their love and admiration to the illustrious 
farmer. The lady mistress arose at day-dawn at all 
seasons of the year, and became at once actively en- 
gaged in household duties. She retired for an hour after 
breakfast for private devotion, which she never omitted 
through half a century. Two happy years were thus 
spent. The General had again accepted the command 
of the army, but not to be called out excepting in the 
case of an actual invasion by the enemy. But the fiat 
of the Almighty went forth, calling the being whose 
measure of earthly fame was full to overflowing, to his 
great reward in a higher and better station. Folding 
hi? arms upon his bosom, the father of his country ex- 
pired on the 14th day of December, 1799, as gently as 
though an infant died. In his character, we have setn 
that the prominent feature was a strict and stern inte,^g- 
rity ; and he could never be induced to swerve froim 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 23 

that rectitude of conduct which, with him, was a set- 
tled principle of action. Fie had been blessed in early- 
life with pious parents, who taught him to guard against 
falsehood and evil speaking, to love truth and honesty, 
to be modest, just and affable; he had received in his 
tender years that sense of religion, which rendered it the 
constant principle of his life and action. But he had 
done with all of earth, they with whom his days were 
spent must resign the honored master, and see the fond 
home circle broken up; yet, to him, better was the day 
of liis death than that of his birth. Since what is death, 
but a continuation of the spirit's existence. Neither 
shall we mourn at the departure of Christian friends, 
for our loved and lost on earth, are emphatically our 
treasures in Heaven, and all who believe with the an- 
cient Church in *' the communion of saints," think that 
their departed holy ones are interested in their welfare, 
although yet on earth. Our mental and intellectual en- 
dowments die not with our bodies, they are only trans- 
ferred to a higher school, and where our excellencies 
shall never be undervalued, for there all lips must be 
governed by sincerity. And our Washington having, 
whilst on earth, gone on continually from one degree of 
faith and love, of holiness and zeal, unto another, went 
hence to appear perfect in Zion, there to drink immortal 
vigor and joy from the everlasting fountain of both. To 
his beloved wife, Martha, he left the benefit of his whole 
estate during her natural life, except such parts as were 
especially disposed of, and a great deal was hers to dis- 
pose of at pleasure. At her death, the immense life 
estate was justly divided amongst his numerous rela- 
tions; none were left miserable or unprovided for. To 
the poor he was liberal ; of his friends, thoughful ; free- 
dom to his mulatto man, William Lee, who had served 



24 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

bim faithfully through the war, and he was to be paid 
thirty dollars a year. 

Scarcely more than two years after the mournful event 
just recorded, when Lady Washington was ill with an 
attack of bilious fever. From her age, and the sorrow 
that had preyed upon her spirits, there was slight hopes 
of her recovery entertained. She soon assembled her 
grand-children to be advised; and surrounded by weep- 
ing relatives, friends and domestics, she resigned her 
life into the hands of her Creator at the age of seventy. 
The body, in a leaden coffin, was placed by the side of 
her beloved husband. She had descended to the grave, 
cheered by the prospect of a blessed immortality, and 
mourned by the millions of a mighty empire. The en- 
joyments of life had been partaken of by her with 
sobriety, while the troubles and privations that fell to 
her lot were borne with calmness and cheerful fortitude; 
so that when death itself approached, and the solemn 
scenes of eternity unfolded themselves to her view, she 
was enabled to read her title clear to a habitation not 
made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. And in 
those genial and stormless climes, may we too find a 
home, when our weary pilgrimage shall have ended; 
there where all the heirs of Christ shall finall}'- and 
forever be assembled. "Of the birth-place of Wash- 
ington, nothing now remains but a chimney, and a few 
scattered bricks and stones ; and around it, where the 
smiles of highest culture were once seen, there is an 
aspect of desolation that makes the heart feel sad. Some 
decayed fig trees and tangled shrubs and vines, with 
here and there a pine and cedar sapling, tell with silent 
eloquence of neglect and ruin, and that decay has laid 
its blighting fingers upon every work of man there. 
The vault of the Washington family, wherein many 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 25 

were buried, is so neglected that some of the remains, 
exposed to view, liave been carried away by plunderers. 
All around it are stunted trees, shrubs and briars, and 
near it may be seen fragments of slabs, once set up in 
commemoration of some of that honored family." 

How delightful to reflect on the Catholic spirit mani- 
fested by Washington in his reply to the Hebrew Con- 
gregation at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790, on their 
complaint that, heretofore, they had been deprived of 
the invaluable rights of free citizens: and expressions 
of gratitude to the great God, who ruleth in the armies 
of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth, for hav- 
ing then bestowed upon our country a government 
erected by the "Majesty of the People" — a government 
generously affording to all, liberty of conscience and 
immunities of citizenship. They desired, for all those 
blessings, to send up thanks to the Ancient of Days, 
beseeching that the angel who conducted their Fore- 
fathers through the wilderness into the promised land, 
would graciously conduct the President of the United 
States through all the difficulties and dangers of his 
mortal life, and that, when, like Joshua, full of days and 
full of honors, he should be gathered to his fathers, he 
sliould be admitted to the Heavenly Paradise, to partake 
of the "water of life and the tree of immortality." To 
which President Washington, after acknowledging the 
cordiality of the welcome given him by all classes of 
citizens, says: "The citizens of the United States of 
America have a right to applaud themselves for having 
given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal 
policy — a policy worthy of imitation. All possess a 
like liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. 
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it 
were by the indulgence of one class of people that 



26 OUil FOREFATHERS ; 

another enjoyed ilie exercise of llieir inlicrent natural 
rights; for, happily, the Government of the United 
Slates, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution 
no assistance, requires only that they who live under its 
protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, 
in giving it, on all occasions, their effectual support." 

Let us now turn over a page ofgood advice in the history 
of his domestic wife. I dare say, dear girls, that some of 
you have laughed over the visit of Mrs. Troupe, the lady 
of a half-pay captain in the British Navy, to Mrs. Tuttle, 
a sensible and agreeable woman of New Jersey. Her 
company was sought even by those wlio, owing to their 
wealth, moved in more fashionable circles, as was the 
case with Mrs. Troupe, who, on one of her calls, after 
the usual compliments were over, burst out wnth "Well, 
what do you think? I have been to see Lady Washing- 
ton!" "Have you, indeed? then tell me all about how 
you found her ladyship, how she appeared, and what 
she said." "Well, I will honestly tell you, Mrs. Tuttle, 
I never was so ashamed in all my life. You see, Mad- 
ame — and Madame, and Madame Budd and myself 
thought we would visit iier, and, as she was said to be 
so grand a lady, we thought we must put oii our best 
bibs and bands. So we dressed ourselves in our most 
elegant ruffles and silks, and were introduced to her 
ladvsliip. And, don't you think, we found \\ej Joiittlng,, 
and with a s'pecked (^check) ajjron on! She received us 
very graciously and easily, but, after the compliments 
were over, she resumed lur knitting. There we w^ere, 
wnthout a stitch of work, and sitting in state, wliilst slie, 
with her own hands, was knitting stockings for herself 
and her husband ! And that was not all ; in the after- 
noon her ladyshi[) took occasion to say, in a way that we 
could not be offended at, that, at this time, it was very 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 27 

important that American ladies should be patterns of 
industry to iheir countrymen, because the separation 
from the mother country will dry up the sources whence 
many of our comforts have been derived. We must be- 
come independent by our determination to do without 
what we cannot make ourselves. Whilst our husbands, 
sons and brothers are examples of patriotism, we must 
be patterns of industry." Just such excellent advice 
would she now bestow upon us, could she speak from 
above, as she gave to her visitors, adding force then, to 
her words by her actions, and it was done in such a 
delicate way that they could not take offence. In this 
she proved herself more worthy to occupy her distin- 
guished position than she could have done by all the 
graceful and elegant accomplishments which are often 
found in princesses an^ queens. In the relations she 
occupied, her knitting work and her check apron were 
queenly ornaments, and we may be proud to know that 
such a woman as Martha Washington set such an admi- 
rable example to her countr3'women. We love to do jus- 
tice to her social and private virtues, as well as to her 
patriotic sentiments — and, are we not called upon to 
emulate them? Like her, we must learn to think that, 
in the worst of circumstances, there is no room for des- 
pair; and that in the best and brightest of them, there is 
none for presumption. She had been made acquainted 
with the stern realities of busy life, and the horrors of 
war. Her only remaining child, her son, had gone to 
tlie grave long before her, and that at an early age; yet, 
supported by religion, she was enabled to continue cheer- 
ful and busy in her proper sphere, rendering happy 
those with whom she was most intimately associated in 
domestic life. What a contrast to some who surround 
us, to whom their homes seem only a mere place of re- 



28 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

treat for a time, to reconnoitre and prepare for a new 
sallying forth in quest of pleasure; their arena is public 
display, their worship that of strangers. There is no 
convincing such that labor is better than indolence, 
and, that it was to that end they were created. These 
butterflies often fall into the hands of Quixotic young 
men, devoid of common sense or industry, yet ready to 
marry /or love upon "nothing a week, and that uncer- 
tain — very." It is greatly to be wished that many 
more of our sex possessed greater decision of character, 
where there is so much that is useful and profitable to 
be done at this troublous time, when we are looking 
forward to the event of a great Convention, with min- 
gled hope and fear. 

Suicidal hands are uplifted to cut the throat of our 
once happy Union, destroying the brightness and mirth 
of your early days, by calling out and placing your be- 
loved ones in situations of peril, to sufTer, and endure, and 
die. Are you, then, preparing not only to meet the com- 
ing events with dignified composure, but with patriotic 
fire animating your bosoms, to inspire theirs with the 
resolution that, if fight they must, they will manfully 
protect their families and defend their homes, whilst you 
will not increase their disquietudes by complaints or 
groundless fears, or by slothful and useless lives. No, 
rather let us resolve not to fall short of our sex in their 
mighty deeds through the Revolution. You have all read 
of Mrs. Abram Martin, of Ninety-six, now Edgefield 
District. She was Elizabeth Marshall, probably of the 
same family with Chief Justice Marshall, as from the 
same neighborhood, Caroline county, A^irginia. This 
mother of a patriotic family, you recollect, had an only 
daufrhter, Lelitia, whose husband, Cant. Edmund Wade, 
of Virginia, fell with his noble commander, General Ivit h- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 29 

arcl Montgomery, at the siege of Quebec, on the 31st of 
December, 1775. At the time of the siege of Charles- 
ton, 1780, the widow was residing with her mother. 
Her son, Washington, then five years old, recollects 
walking in the piazza on a calm evening, with his 
grandmother; a light breeze blew from the east, and the 
sound of heavy cannon was distinctly heard in that direc- 
tion, (one hundred miles in a direct line.) Three of her 
sons were then in Charleston, and their wives were with 
her. Each remained for a time wrapped in her own 
painful and silent reflections, until the mother, taking 
courage, exclaimed fervently : " Thank God, they are the 
children of the Republic!" Of the seven patriot bro- 
thers, six were spared through all the dangers of parti- 
zan warfare in the region of the ^'dark and bloody 
ground." William M. Martin, the eldest son, married 
Grace Waring, of Dorchester, a cousin of many of my 
readers; she was the daughter of Mr. Benjamin Waring, 
who became one of the earliest settlers of Columbia 
when established as the seat of government in the State. 
The principles of the Revolution had been taught her 
from childhood; she married at the age of fourteen, and 
was one of the two Mrs. Martins who risked their lives 
to seize upon the dispatches that a courier was convey- 
ing to one of the upper stations, guarded by two British 
officers, whom they captured and paroled. The other 
brave lady was Rachel, the daughter of Henry Clay, 
Jr., of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and first-cousin to 
Henry Clay, of Kentucky. 

William, who married Grace, was a captain of artil- 
lery, who, after serving with distinction in the sieges 
of Savannah and Charleston, was killed at the sieo-e of 
Augusta. He had just obtained a favorable position for 
his cannon, by elevating it on one of the towers con- 



30 OUn FOREFATHERS ; 

structed by General Andrew Pickens. A British offi- 
cer rode out of his way to gratify his hatred to the 
Whigs, by carrying the fatal news to the mother of this 
gallant young man. After listening to the dreadful re- 
cital, the only reply made by this American dame was, 
*' He could not have died in a nobler cause." The evi- 
dent chagrin of the man as he turned and rode away, 
was long remembered in the family tradition. Grace 
Martin was left with three small children, two sons and 
a daughter; she never married again. The eight brave 
young brothers had grown up under the tuition and ex- 
ample of their parents, with strong attachment to their 
country, and ardently devoted to its service, ready on 
every occasion to encounter the dangers of border war- 
fare. Seven were old enough to bear arms at the com- 
mencement of the contest, and responded to the first 
call for volunteers that sounded through the land. " Go, 
boys," said their mother, '' were I a man I would go 
with you." When asked by a British officer how many 
sons she had, and where they all were ? replied prompt- 
ly, ^' Eight, seven of whom are engaged in the service 
of their country." ^' Really, madam,^' observed he, sneer- 
ingly, *' you have enough of them." ^' No, sir," said 
the matron, proudly, " I wish I had fifty. ^' And here 
we stand, looking back at the past with admiration, yet 
onward to the future with dread; for how dark the pros- 
pect, when the descendants of those who fought as a 
brotherhood in the revolutionary struggle, battling for a 
common cause, have assumed a hostile attitude. The 
men of the North have crossed the Rubicon to invade 
the territory of the South, and to destroy rights guaran- 
teed by the Constitution. But good men and true, who 
*' know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain them," 
are nerving themselves for the conflict which threatens 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 31 

to come sooner or laler. And more iniminpnt danger 
will awake us all to sudden action for self-preservation. 
If, as we are told, it is the fundamental criterion of a 
free people that they rule themselves, and tliat they are 
at liberty to modify, change or abolish it, as tliey deem 
expedient, tlie time has surely arrived when we should 
exercise tin's right, and shake off our Northern masters, 
who have assumed towards us, of the Southern States, 
exactly the position of George the Third towards our an- 
cestors. That king declared them rebels, the Northern 
people pronounce us traitors, threatening to send armies, 
with fire and sword, to enforce their tyranny, denying us 
the riq-ht to rule ourselves or chancre our q-overnment. 
Shall we cower under their iiaughty threats and con- 
tinue political slaves? No, we will not submit to 
such dishonor ; and although we would not have you 
come under the denomination of "fire-eaters," yet must 
reiterate the assertion, that on you will devolve the task 
of kindling in the breast of lovers, brothers and hus- 
bands every feeling of manhood to bear them honorably 
throuijh the comino: warfare ; unless an over-rulinjr Pro- 
vidence shall bless the eflx)rts of xMr. C. G Memminger, 
our representative to Virginia, and that of other honora- 
ble and praiseworthy men, in their attempts to pour oil 
on the troubled waters — which, high-toned and chival- 
rous as they are, would sooner do, than add one faggot 
to the flame. Remembering as Christians, the bless- 
ings pronounced by their great exampler on the " Peace- 
makers." It may be that w<; have not sufficiently ap- 
preciated the value of public tranquillity, that it is to be 
removed from us. Even your " Ancient Lady," with 
the sun of her existence just setting, would gladly join 
the throng of delighted listeners to the Hon. Mr. Mem- 
minger's contemplated address in Richmond, certain 



3*3 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

that it can never fall sliort of the highest raised expecta- 
tion of the audience. His flashing- eloquence, his splen- 
did diction and soaring fancy, but most of all, his en- 
ergy and pathos, will serve to draw forth from woman's 
sympathetic breast the low sob, and suffuse her eye with 
pearly tears, whili:t it nerves the arm of defiant manhood ; 
recalling to his mind that his lot has been cast as a 
member of the positive race, that is the concjuering, sub- 
duing and inventive race ; and that he will do his part 
faithfully to enact the part assigned him by Providence. 
Yet tempered with the meekness and benevolence of 
the Gospel. O ! we plead for peace, peace, whilst we 
recall to mind how the wise son of Sirach, in enu- 
merating the three things that stand up as beautiful 
before God and men, commences with that of the "uni- 
ty of brethren," followed by the love of neighbors, 
and a man and his wife who agree together. And now 
adieu for the present, ever recollecting that you have 
no rigjjt to expect anything from my pen that Avill bear 
marks of ability. How can you, from one who partook 
not of the advantages of early education, and on whom 
the pressure of after-life was too heavy to admit of ap- 
plication to study, and whose reason may be said now 
often to totter on its throne, as she looks around upon 
the prosperous world, and feels herself an aged and 
isolated being, — an exile on her way home already 
driven fast and far upon the sea of life, looking anxiously 
towards her landing-place on eternity. Having passed 
through strange vicissitudes, many a month, living al- 
most w^ithout companionship, and at last, with a face 
wan and haggard, with the light burning dimly in her 
eye, she yet flatters herself that ''aided by the power of 
an indomitable will," she may be enabled to complete 
her volume to you. Her desideratum at present, for the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 33 

ensuing two monllis, is light and warmth. Employment 
will come all too fast, and company, or going abroad, she 
will forego henceforth ; but not forever. And believing 
that leniency in criticism is usually accorded to adven- 
turers on unexplored tracks, she flatters lu'rself that mer- 
cy will not be withheld from her also ; since she seems 
to be resolved, that so long as spared her mental and 
physical faculties, to exercise them in various ways. — 
She looks around and sees the companions of her early 
life crovvding towards the grave, wliilst exhausted na- 
ture warns h.er that she too must soon pass away and be 
no more seen. Those feelings of grief which were so 
pungent a few years ago, on the deaih of loved ones, 
"have gradually settled down in quiet resignation. — 
Time has flown on, and the wounds are healed, — ■ 
but never forgotten. Therefore, let us look forward 
with faith and hope, that when time with us shall be no 
more, we may all meet in that haven of eternal rest, 
where we shall together sing the song of " Moses and 
the Lamb/' And now, may we lie down this night in 
peace with God, blessing Him for the ministry of good 
anofcls about us. Yours ever, T. A. L. 



2* 



34 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 



Charleston, January ISth, 1800. 



" Old Time thus speaks : 
The works of God and man I '<poil ; 
The noblest proofs of human toil 

1 treat as childish toys — 
I crii>h the noble and the brave ; 
Beamy I mar, and in the grave 

I bury human joys. 

Since Beauty then, to Time must bow, 
And a<re deform the fairest brow. 

Let bri<ihler charms be yours — 
The female mind, embalmed in truth, 
Shall bloom in everlasting- youth, 

While Time himself endures." 



LETTER III. 

My Dear Young Friends, — 

You will consider me a pattern of industr3% but I 
wish to attract your attention to the interesting facts cull- 
ed from old newspapers, now being republished in our in- 
valuable Courier. 'I'liey take us back to 1782, 1793^ and 
1795. '' Tlie Royal Gazette" for Wednesday, June 2()th, 
1782, was printed by R. Wells and Son, Charleston, S. 
C, Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty." A 
column of ^' Rebel Intelligence" is devoted to news of 
the Whig movements, in which General Marion is men- 
tioned. A report is oiven also in a letter from George- 
town, S. C, of the arrival of a prize under Commodore 
Gillon's "State Ship Carolina." In that of 1795, "The 
South Carolina Slate Gazette" and "Timothy and Ma- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 35 

son's DaiJy Advertiser," for Saturda}^, February 7lh, we 
read llie following notice : "Ann P. Gillon, executrix, 
and P. Butler, executor, desire to close up the estate of 
Alexander Gillon, deceased, and had appointed John 
Splatt Cripps, their Agent and Attorney.'' A letter 
from Mr. Thos. Waring, (the late father of Drs. Edmund 
and Horace, of Mrs. Dorethea Vanderhost, Mrs. Ju- 
lette Smith, and Mrs. Amelia Mitchell,) to General An- 
drew Pickens, of Ninety-Six District, (favored by Mr. 
White,) from Charleston, July 22d, 1784, rt^ads thus : 

" Dear General — Your favor per Mr. White, with three 
bear skins, I have received ; tliose intended for me, I 
am exceedingly obliged to you for; the other I shall 
deliver to Judge Grimke, as you have requested. I 
could have wished you had informed me of the price of 
them, as I would have sent you the money, per return 
of Mr. White ; however, I will settle with you when 1 
have the pleasure again of seeing you. Our folks here, 
(say such as term themselves true Whigs,) cannot be 
reconciled to the law passed by the Legislature at their 
last sitting, restoring to sundry persons iheir property, 
and receiving them again as citizens. Several riots have 
been occasioned by them, but with little or no dam- 
age as yet. Though I am rather apprehensive some- 
thing serious must shortly happen between Commo- 
dore Gillon and General Gadsden, the latter havino- ac- 
cused the former, in public print, of his being one of the 
ring-leaders of the mob, and otherways condemning 
him highly for his conduct, &c., &c., of the ship South 
Carolina. Being much hurried at present, must beg 
leave to bid you adieu, with best wishes for your liealih, 
&c. Dear General, your sincere friend and humble ser- 
vant, Thos. Waring, Sen. 

*^ N. B. — Mrs. Waring requests her compliments to 



36 OUR forefathers; 

)''ou, and will be much obliVed to you to procure lier two 
or three bottles of bear's oil, if it won't be givln^^ you 
too much trouble." 

She was the sister of Dr. Thomas Waring. Their 
parents were Benjamin Waring and Sallie, the daughter 
of Mr. Archer Smitii and his wife, Edith Waring. His 
first wife died in 1744 — leaving Benjamin an infant, as 
related in "Carolina in the Olden Time," and of his 
marriage with Anne, his first-cousin, the sister of Mr. 
Richard Waring, of Tranquil Hill, near Dorchester. 
You know of their heroic Grace, and of his removal to 
Columbia. His other daughter, Selina, married Dr. 
Green; his son, George, was killed by a fail from his 
horse, riding from his father's newly erected paper mill. 
Benjamin n)arried Esther Marion, the daughter of Dr. 
Thomas Waring and his first wife, Miss Mitchell. After 
her death, lie was united to a Miss Goodwin, who, after 
his death, became the wife, and is now the widow of 
Professor Hutson, the late excellent Teacher at Winns- 
boro'. The third son, John Morton, first married a Miss 
Williams, or Williamson — and subsequently, in 1884, to 
Mj _ss Co ok. 

The accusations arrainst Commodore Gillon, of his 
having too lightly spent the public money in useless 
parade when sent to Holland — or of dividing the prize 
money freely amongst his tars — must have soon been 
done away from the minds of this community, as he 
continued in high estimation and influence, associating 
in all the active duties of a good citizen. He was Sena- 
tor in Congress many years, and when not so delegated, 
he served in the Legislature, and in the Conventions hy 
which the Federal Constitution was adopted and that of 
the Slate amended. In 1791, when President Wash- 
ington visited this city, he was one of the committee of 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 37 

arrangements for entertaining him. At the supper of a 
pubhc ball he showed his ready tact, by handing Mrs. 
Shubrick to the seat opposite to the President, as the 
handsomest matron in the assembly, and placing on his 
right Claudia, the most witty and sociable of the young 
ladies. She was the third daughter of Thomas Lough- 
ton Smith, by his wife, Elizabeth Cletlicrall; her sisters 
were Elizabeth, Ann Loughlon, Maria and Harriott. 
Claudia, after a long and brilliant career, died, a few 
years since, as the widow of Mr. Henry Izard. Their 
father executed his will on the IGth of April, 1773; his 
executors were George and Alexander Inglis and Wil- 
Jiam Smith. When, in 1780, ihe site of Columbia was 
selected, the Commodore was elected one of the com- 
missioners for having it surveyed and laid out in streets 
and lots. He was a man of fine personal appearance, of 
acute and cultivated mind, and quite a linguist. He 
was born in Rotterdam, in 1741, of an old and wealthy 
famil}', and probably accustomed from childhood to a 
style of living which, at a subsequent time of life, ex- 
hausted his resources and left his estate insolvent, re- 
ducing his beloved family to want. His grandmother's 
Bible is still extant, with the name "Madame Johanna 
Le Gillon," dated IGOO, with her coat of arms painted 
on the first leaf. After serving out an apprenticeship in 
a Dutch counting-house, he spent four years in London, 
and came to Charleston in 17GG, an excellent English 
scholar, with a persuasive tongue that procured him a 
bountiful bride, who brought him a store of wealth, and 
who continued through life a loving and attentive hand- 
maid and active wife. They came fellow-passengers from 
England, when ship voyages allowed not only opportu- 
nity for forming acquaintances, but gave sufficient time 
for making life-long engagements. Mrs. Mary Cripps, 



38 OUR lOREFATHERS; 

a youthful and attractive widow of respectability, was 
Avith her son, John SpJatt Cripps, emigrating from Kent 
county to America, with a considerable fortune. They 
were married a few months after their arrival, and es- 
tablished themselves handsomely on East Bay. Their 
country seat was Ashley Hill, on Ashley River, in the 
vicinity of the city, and next south of Middleton Place; 
and there his first wife died of fever, in 1787. After 
that, the mansion was burned down — having passed in- 
to the hands of strangers — for the desolate widower had 
quickly purchased a new home, on the Congaree River, 
a few miles above Totness, and called the place "Gil- 
Ion's Retreat," embellishing it with his usual taste and 
elegance, forming beautiful avenues, radiating from the 
front of his hospitable mansion. He had become ac- 
tively engaged in mercantile pursuits, on his marriage, 
and was considered a rich Dutch merchant. Taking 
into co-partnership his countryman, Florian Charles 
May, and his step-son, J. S. Cripps; they continued 
highly successful in business until 1777, when, in the 
spring, Gillon retired from it: the others continued very 
independent merchants, long after the Revolution. Gil- 
Ion's enterprising turn of mind, led him to engage in 
the successful enterprise of capturing three British 
cruisers, in 1778, that had blockaded our city. He took 
command of the only armed vessel in port, disguising 
her as a merchant-man, and thus by stratagem and skil- 
ful management succeeded so admirably in the exploit, 
that when the Legislature resolved to buy or build three 
frigates in France, he was appointed Commodore, and 
took with him Capt. John Joyner. They were commis- 
sioned by President Lowndes in the spring of 1778, 
and sailed to France. A Navy Board was established 
at that time, when Edward Blalce, Roger, Josiah and 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 89 

George Smith, Edward Darrell, Tliomas Corbett, John 
Edwards, George Abbott Hall and Thomas Savage, Es- 
quires, were appointed Commissioners. A large frigate 
called the ''Indian," had been built at Amsterdam, by- 
order of the French King, for the United States, at the 
instance of Dr. Franklin, and her command proffered to 
John Paul Jones. But as a neutral nation, the govern- 
ment of Holland was obliged to interfere and prevent 
its destination. She was sold, and bought by the Duke 
of Luxemburg, a subject of France, and hired to Gillon 
for five years, who was to pay over one-fourth of her 
prize money. She proved too large to be floated out of 
the Texel; she was, with difficulty, taken over the bar 
in 1781, and called the "South Carolina." The after- 
charge was, that neither this State nor the Duke derived 
benefit from her captures, that the money received from 
the sale of prizes, had been too freely spent by the 
captors. However, the State paid all demands against 
it; yet the Commodore ever led his family to believe 
that he had spent much of his private fortune for its 
benefit, and they ever continued under the impression 
that his services to his adopted country had never been 
requited. In 1789, he intermarried with Ann, the 
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Henry Purcell, Rector of St. 
Michael's Church. He continued to live at his delight- 
ful establishment in his usual expensive style. They 
had a son, named Alexander, and daughters Ann and 
Susan; the son and Susan married and left families. 
'J'he father died there in 1794, in the fifty-third year of 
his age; the widow came with her children to Charles- 
ton, and finally removed to Connecticut, where she 
might live more frugally, and died in Litclifield in 1841. 
The Retreat vvas given up to the descendants of one 
Peter Buyck, a wealthy nuTchant of Amsterdam, who 



40 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

bad been injured by advancing for tbe Commodore, and 
produced a mortgage of the elegant place. He may 
have spent too freely, yet he had been prompt in action 
in the hour of need; and if he had some faults, are not 
the weeds in a fruitful field soon forgotten or forgiven 
when we look at the virtues that grow out of the same 
prolific soil? His courageous exploit in 1777, trans- 
ferred him from the counting-house to the deck of the 
finest frigate, probably, afloat at that time in the world. 
No doubt, Gen. Gadsden became satisfied of his fidelity, 
and labored with others in the noble work of pacifica- 
tion, then, as the disquietudes of war were removed ; 
for he was a man without reproach, yet ever tenacious 
for his country's rights and honor, faithful to her prin- 
ciples, and having sacrificed his fortune, as he would 
have dune his life, had she required it, he felt entitled 
to battle for her riglus. And yet, although possessing 
the fullest confidence of every one as a patriot and 
statesman, he may have been har.-h in expressions 
som'-'.times, for we have heard that he had some excep- 
tional peculiarities; the ungovernable uprising of his 
impetuous blood, checked by no sweet attractions or 
gentle restraints, placed him for a time, as a bark, at 
the mercy of the fearful waves. Severely had he felt 
the calamities of war — his close imprisonment in St. 
Augustin had not improved his temper. Whatever he 
undertook he pursued with all his might, and there is 
not an instance to be found in which private interest 
ever interfered with his public duty, yet looked not for 
compensation, and with no desire for worldly grandeur, 
he declined, in 1782, the election as Governor of the 
State, on account of the infirnrities of age. He was 
born in 1724, and died in 1805, aged 81. It is long 
since he has entered a safe and blessed haven, on the 



THEIR IIOMKS AND THPHR CHUUC-IIES. 41 

olernal side of life's perilous sea. And for tlie lionor of 
liuman nature vve arc pleased to remark, tliat if llie fore- 
fathers entertained any dislikes, they liave not come 
down to llie present generation; since often may be 
found an estimable widow lady, the jrreat-granddaugli- 
ter of the Commodore, as one of the delighted listeners 
to the persuasive eloquence of the great-grandson of 
the General, who, as rector of a new congregation, nou- 
enjoys the liighesl reputation as an eloquent preacher, 
and one who has achieved a flattering celebrity as an 
extemporary speaker, and a man of no ordinary fame for 
literature, admired and courted by many friends. 

But we must hasten on, since time flies with increas- 
ing swiftness as we grow older, and as our years accu- 
mulate the past increases in importance and interest. 
Memory has its scenes whose verdure can never fade, 
and being a noble faculty when rightly used, cannot be 
too carefully cultivated, striving to have laid up in it a 
great store of practical common sense, for our own gui- 
dance, and of varied information, so that we may be 
useful in our day — striving to improve each talent with 
which we are entrusted, for the truest advantaire of all 
with whom we have to do. And therefore your friend, 
an antiquarian, patient in research, is anxious to convey 
information, not only such as may afford pleasure, but 
in some slight degree to convey information of such a 
cliaracter as may obtain for her the honor, thougli late 
accorded, yet none the less real, of being competent to 
give an acceptable volume to such an enlightened com- 
munity as ours, althouj^h her knowledge on most sub- 
jects is very limited. We liave quoted from the paper 
of 1782, as the oldest, probably, in the possession of the 
Editors of ihe Courier. We shall now ante-date them 
thirty years for your pleasure and information, from the 
following paper: 



43 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

No. 953. Printed by Peter Timothy. 

September the 19tli, 1752. 

r THK LIOV AND THE UNICORN ] 
\ FIGHTING FOR THE CROWN. J 

"The most violent and terrible hurricane that was 
ever felt in this Province, hapj)ened on Friday, the 15tli 
instant, in the morning-, and iias reduced this town to 
a very melanclioly situation. As the public doubtless 
will expect a particular account from the press, so we 
have endeavored to obtain- the best information we pos- 
sibly could of this deplorable calamity; for it is impos- 
sible, as yet, to tell all the damafje and devastation we 
have sustained from the violence of the wind and 
waves. On the I4th in the evening, it began to blow 
very hard, the wind being at N. E. and the sky looking 
wild and threatening. It continued blowing from the 
same point with little variation, till about 4 o'clock in 
the morning of the 15th, at which time it became more 
violent, and rained, increasing very fast until about 9, 
when the flood came in like a bore, filling the harbor in 
a few minutes. Before II o'clock all the vessels in the 
harbor were on shore, excepting the Hornet man-of-war, 
which rode it out by cutting away her mainmast. All 
the wharves and bridges were ruined, and every house 
and store, &,c., on them beaten down and carried away, 
(with all the goods, &c., on them,) as were also many 
houses in the town, and abundance of roofs, chimneys, 
&c. Almost all the tiled or slated liouses were uncov- 
ered, and great quantities of merchandise, &c., in the 
stores on the Bay street damaged, by their doors being 
burst open. The town was likewise overflowed, the tide 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 43 

or sea liaving raised upwards of ten feet above the higli- 
water mark, at the sprinir-tides, and nothing was now to 
be seen but the ruin of liouses, canoes, wreclvs of peri- 
augers and boats, masts and yards, and incredible quan- 
tities of all sorts of timber, barrels, staves, sliingles, 
liousehold and other goods, floating and driving with 
great violence through the streets and round about the 
town. The inhabitants finding themselves in the midst 
of a tempestuous sea, the wind still continuing, the tide 
(according to its common course) being expected to 
flow till after one o'clock, and many of the people be- 
ing already up to their necks in water in their houses, 
began to think of nothing but death for certain. But 
(here we have to record as signal an instance of the 
immediate interposition of Divine Providence as ever 
appeared) they were soon delivered from their appre- 
hensions; for about ten minutes after eleven o'clock the 
wind veered to the E. S. E., S. and S. W., very quickly, 
and then (although it continued its violence, and the 
sea beat and dashed every where with amazing impe- 
tuosity), the waters fell about five feet in the space of 
ten minutes, without wiiich unexpected and sudden fall, 
every house and inhabitant of this town, must, in all pro- 
bability, have perished. And before three o'clock the 
hurricane was entirely over. At Sullivan's Island, the 
Pest House was carried away and fifteen people that 
were there, nine of whom were lost, tlie rest saved 
themselves by adhering strongly to some of the rafters 
of the house when it fell, upon which they were driven 
some miles beyond the Island, to Hobcaw. At Fort 
Johnson, the barracks were beat down, most of tlie guns 
dismounted, and their carriages taken quite away. At 
Craven's and Granville's bastions and the batteries 
about the town, the cannon was likewise dismounted. 



44 OUR forefathers; 

The Mermaid man-of-war, which had just gone up to 
Hobcaw to heave down, was driven ashore not far from 
the Careening Place. The ship Lucy, of and for Boston, 
John Bullman, master, which lay wind-bound in Rebel- 
lion Road, dragged her ancliors, drove by the fort and 
town, and ran ashore upon a marsh about seven miles up 
Cooper River. A new vessel was driven off the stocks, 
and wrecked at Mr. Wright's. The schooner Nancy, 
Jolm Babt, master, all of this port, ashore in Mr. Her- 
on's pasture. Another vessel was wrecked near Mr. 
Scott's. And one but lately begun, with the snow In- 
dustry, belonging to Mr. David Brown, ashore on the 
green, near his house. Capt. Walker's pilot boat, 
against Governor Glen's house (now Miss Pinckney's) 
on East Bay, and his sloop, the Endeavour, bound for 
Jamaica, after breaking down his Excellency's coach- 
house, stable, &c., was dashed to pieces against Mr. Ro- 
bert Raper's house, (the only house in Raper's Court, 
near the Market, late the property of Mr. McNellage.) 
The mast of the sloop entered the balcony door, (this 
Robert Raper's father, bearing the same name, had 
been the especial friend of the second Landgrave, Tho- 
mas Smith, who died in 1788, aged 68 years. We hope 
that the Robert Raper of Carolina, who received the 50 
lashes at Valley Forge, in 1778, along with George Low, 
for an attempt to desert with forged discharges, was not 
an unworthy descendant of that once wealthy and high- 
minded family. How strange the vicissitudes of life — 
but let us return, and brave the hurricane.) 

"Two or three periaugers were wrecked against Dr. 
Caw's house. A small schooner drove up close against 
the old Custom House door, and one of Mr. Edwards' 
pilot boats to Mrs. Thomas Smith's east door, (at the 
north-east corner of the Bay and Longitude Lane.) Se- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 45 

veral boats and tilings against Mr. Price's. The sloop 
Manila, of New York, llicliard Manley, master, bound 
for Halifax, and the sloop Industry, of and for Rliode 
Island, ashore upon the head of Mr. Berresford's wharf. 
The snow Charming Nancy, of and for Hull, at the 
head of Capt. Simmons' wharf, near the Council Cham- 
ber. The brig Peggy and Sally, of and for Bristol, Wil- 
liam James, master, against the Courtine, or Line of de- 
fence, between Mrs. Thomas Elliott's and Mrs. Motte's. 
The sloop Henry, Henry Cregier, master, of and for 
New York, against the Exchange or New Market, 
where Mr. Edwards' other pilot boat is wrecked. The 
snow Dove, John Tupper, bound for Cape Fear, on the 
head of Eveleigh's wharf. A small schooner against the 
Courtine line, near the Dove. The brigantine Two 
Friends, of and for Falmouth, Robert Johns, master, 
beat down some houses and the south-west corner of the 
new Baptist Church, (now the Mariner's,) and lies on 
the we^t side of Church street^ alongside of Mr. John Ma- 
thewe's house (Lot No J.)" 

The creek has been filled up since the Revolution, 
and Water street made over it. From the branch of 
Vanderhorst Creek, that ran into Mr. Mathewe's yard, a 
part of that vessel has been brought to light within the 
last sixteen years, by a Mj*. Rice, whilst digging a well; 
the pieces discovered were large and in a state of good 
preservation. "Young's Bridge" crossed that large 
creek, over to where the little "Pyncs grew." The 
Young family wooden house, of two stories, from whence 
the bridge, is the north-west corner of Church and Wa- 
ter streets, has descended from Mrs. Mazyck (Miss 
Young) to her daughter Caroline, the widow of Dr. 
Dcasel. 

Again we go back to 1752, and copy that ''The Up- 



46 



ton, of Liverpool, lately arrived from Rotterdam, with 
German servants to George Austin and Henry Lau- 
rens, laying up Ashley River, was drove a great way 
into Wappoo, The sloop Polly, George Gore, bound 
for Barbadoes. The schooner Elizabeth, Alexander 
McGilvray, of this port, for Jamaica. The Susannah, 
Amos Minot, of this port, and many more, are drove-^ 
some in the woods, some in the corn-fields, and others 
far into the marshes on and about James Island and 
Wappoo Cut. For about thirty miles round Charlestown 
there is hardly a plantation that has not lost every out- 
house upon it. All our roads are filled with trees," &c. 
At Hyde Park, in St. John's Parish, Elizabeth, the eld- 
est girl of John Coming Ball, and his wife, Catharine 
Gendron, narrowly escaped d-'struction in that gale. — 
She was then six years and seven months old. On feel- 
ing the house shake, she screamed to be carried into a 
large new barn. Her mother refused ; but her father add- 
ed, " Let her go, we none know what is best to be done. " 
As a man-servant lifted her in his arms, and stepped 
from the piazza, the barn came with a mighty crash to 
the ground. The negro shrinking back in fright and aston- 
ishment, was soon joined by all the household, who gaz- 
ed with intense eagerness and extreme agitation on the 
fearful sight. In December, 1764, she became the second 
wife of Henry Smith, Esq., of Goose Creek Mansion 
House. And now, my dear friends, believe me, that it is 
not to obtain a scholar's praise or any literary distinction 
that my weary fingers have so long continued to move, 
but for the after satisfaction of yourselves and others who 
may choose to enjoy the fruits of my labor; for although 
'' I'lie Ancient Lady," I have a heart tliat can sympa- 
thise with human hearts that throb, and ache, and flutter 
as itself lias done. And may not the very simplicity of 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 47 

my unadorned stories, or ratiier facts, render them val- 
uable by way of contrast to the numberless volumes that 
p:enius and fancy produce in these prolific times? This 
is the sole apolog-y that can be offered for the bold at- 
tempt to write at all, in this enlightened age. And now, 
perhaps soon, the " tell-tale" types will be at work, fol- 
lowed by the lumbering noise of the press, as it throws 
off two liundred sheets, voluntarily given ; and yet at 
the idea of coming before an educated and discerning 
community, my courage has nearly failed. This terri- 
ble book is like an incubus on the mind, causing sleep- 
less nights, or troubled dreams. We hear your com- 
miserative sigh, and see with the mind's eye, the cloud 
which, for a moment, overshadows your brow at our men- 
tal suiTerings. Well, let it pass. And now, that the sea- 
son of nature's repose has returned, may we, with sweet 
calmness and serenity, resign our powers to sleep, under 
a cheerful persuasion that angels are commanded to en- 
camp around us, that we may not be afraid of any ter- 
ror by night, but arise refreshed for daily labor. 
Yours, with affection, The Ancient Lady. 



48 OrR FOREFATHERS ; 



Tuesday, January 2-ith, 1800. 



The old love, the old love ! 

It hath a master spell, 
And in its home the human heart, 

It worketh sure and well." 



LETTER lY. 

Well, well ; although the days of my wanderings in 
this wilderness of care are nearly accomplished, I am 
still clinging to ihe j^ast ; often retracing in old age the 
loved scenes of youth, which serve to renew the energy 
of the mind. To all of us, the enjoyments of the past 
are secure ; no change can affect them. As time flies 
swiftly onward, their beauty and freshness seem to 
cast a halo around our vanished years : since what is 
life but a fast-fleeting day, and eternity an unending 
morrow! It is but too true, that your friend 

"Is old in the dimness and the dust 
Of her daily toils and cares ; 
Old in the wrecks of love and trust. 
Which her burdened memory bears." 

Yet, if you will sit down with her to a safe, although 
sumptuous banquet, she will take you back more tlian 
a century and a half, and then all present anxieties will 
be remembered no more ; each uneasy apprehension 
shall vanish, soothing hopes and delightful expectations 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 49 

succeed ; her countenance drop its dejected mein, her 
eyes grow briglit with a lively cheerfulness, whilst her 
pen shall express the heart-felt satisfaction of communi- 
cating old things — an employment which obtains for her 

" That nothing earthly gives or can destroy, 
The soul's calm sunshine and the heart-felt joy." 

We were shown, a few years ago, a paper of 
1749, in which was stated that Dr. John Moultrie, Jr., 
had, at that time, received his degree. His portrait 
has been renewed by Mrs. Jackson, (who has succeeded 
very happily in her late husband's occupation,) and 
presented by Dr. James Moultrie to the Medical College. 
There are those who assert that he was the first Carolinian 
who took a degree. Tradition tells that George, the 
second son of the first Landgrave, Thomas Smith, of 
Exeter, (Eng.,) who was born in Old Charlestown, west of 
the Ashley, in 1672, received his degree at the Medical 
School of Edinburgh in 1700, at the age of twenty-eight. 
Dr. John Moultrie was afterwards appointed Lieutenant 
Governor of East Florida. He was united to Eleanor, 
the only daughter of Mr. George Austin, (already men- 
tioned,) and his wife, Anne Ball, the widow of Captain 
Daws. By the mother's tacit consent, an elopement was 
prevented, and Eleanor was married in her father's 
house, but not in his presence, and many years elapsed 
ere Mr. Henry Laurens' eloquence could bring about a 
reconciliation. Her mother's grave you will find at the 
south door of St. Philip's Church. Another stone will 
point out that of her father, in the Church-yard of Shef- 
nal, Shropshire, England. There, too, you will find 
that of her husband. Dr. John Moultrie, and their son, 
John, together with his wife, Catharine, the daughter of 
Mr. Elias Ball, of Wambaw, St. James, Santee ; and his 
3 



50 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

wife, Catharine, the daughter of Mr. 'J'heodore Gaillard, 
ofthe same parisli. Eleanor, as the Doctor's widow, lived 
until 1820, when slie died in London, liaving attained the 
age of eight3^-eight years; and after havinjT hiid in state 
for a week, was buried by her grandson, Major George 
Austin Moultrie, who went up to London from Aston 
Hall, Shropshire, for tliat purpose. He was married 
the ensuing year, to Miss Jane Davidson, of London. 
Her father was of the firm of Davidson & Simpson. The 
latter married Miss Harvey, of South Carolina — a niece 
of Mr. Robt.Turnbull, and Mrs. Holland and others. And 
now we will speak of the patriot, Mr. Henry Laurens. 
Standing out prominently as he does on the canvas of the 
Revolution, you may like to know the stock from whence 
he sprang. His ancestors, Andre and Mary Laurens, left 
Rochelle, in France, as Protestant refugees, soon after the 
Revocation of tlie Edict of Nantz ; removing to England, 
from thence they came and settled in N. York city, where 
their son, James, was born on the 24Lh of July, 1093; 
Charles on the 7lh of August, 1(H)4 ; John the ;30th of 
March, 1090. Their daughter, Jane, was born on the 
5th July, 1099; Augustus on the 1st of September, 
1700. Andre's wife, Mary, died, and was buried in 
New York. He continued there until 1716 — having 
resided twenty-four years in that city. He removed 
with his five children and the bride of his son, John, to 
Charlestown, South Carolina. They arrived on the 28th 
of May. John had, on the 2d of April, been united to 
Miss Esther Grossett, of the city they were leaving. He 
was twenty and she sixteen; for she was born on the 
15th of May, 1700, and she died on the 2d of April, 1742 
— aged 42 — on the very day, twenty-six years that she had 
been married. Yet how soon her place was supplied ! for 
on the od of July the disconsolate widower consoled 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 51 

himself by an union with Miss Elizabeth Wicking; hav- 
ing wept liimself calm and resigned to his loss in the 
sliort space of three months. With this new love he lived 
five years, and died on the 31st of May, 1747, aged fifty- 
one years and two months. His son, Henry, was then 23 
years of age. The children of John and Esther Gros- 
seit were the following : Mary, born in South Carolina, 
on the 7th of January, 1718; Martha, (Mrs. Bremar,) 
on the 31st July, 1721 ; our Henry, on the 24th of Feb- 
ruary, 1724 ; Lydia, on the 3d of October, 1720, (she was 
drowned in crossing a ferry on the 30th of April, 1746, 
at the age of nineteen years and seven months.) Her fa- 
ther survived her loss only one year. She was a lady of 
exquisite grace, one of the loveliest little gems, suddenly 
torn from their vine-embraced cottage, where the old man 
and his family lived, in the midst of his garden, which 
extended from Laurens street, that now is, to below So- 
ciety, on the south-west, to Ansonborough, east to the 
river. There he died, in the two-story frame house, 
afterwards the property of Henry, and to which he 
brought his bride — the beautiful Eleanor, the daughter 
of Mr. Elias Ball, and his second wife, Mary Dela- 
mere, in 1750. James was born on the 3d of Sep- 
tember, in the great gale of 1728, which destroyed a 
fine orchard of his father's, extending on Broad street. 
Samuel was born on the 5th of November, and died at 
the age of three years. John was born on the 22d 
March, 1732, — seven children in the twenty-six 
years. None by Miss VVicking. Henry's educa- 
tion was superintended first by Mr. Howe, afterwards 
by Mr. Corbett, who, after instructing Peter Manigault, 
William Drayton, and oiher excellent classical sch.olars, 
in Carolina, returned to England, and became High Bail- 
ilTof Westminster. The youth was then placed under 



52 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

the care of Mr. Thomas Smith, the merchant from Bos- 
ton, who came to live amongst his relations of the same 
name in Carolina. 

Henry was subsequently under that of Mr. Crockatt, 
of England. With such instructors he was regularly 
bred to merchandise. Having established himself in 
business with Mr. George Austin, our hero's next step 
was to procure himself a help-meet. He had formed an 
acquaintance with the lovely lady, Eleanor, at the wed- 
ding of her half-brother, Elias Ball, of Kensington, in 
St. John's Parish, when, on the 28lh of January, 1747, 
he was united to Lydia Child, the widow of Mr. George 
Chicken. Mr. Ball was then thirty-eight, his bride twen- 
ty-six, with her little Catharine Chicken, six years of 
age, for whom she had procured a first-rate step-father. 
She became, in after-years, the wife of Mr. Benjamin 
Simons, and the mother of Mrs. Hort, Mrs. Maybank, 
and Mrs. Lydia Lucas, who died in England. It was at 
those nuptials that Mr. Laurens arranged with Mr. Aus- 
tin the co-partnership which commenced in the ensuing 
year, 1748. 

Now, you are at liberty to fancy that you see on that 
evening the fine old gentleman seated upon some cush- 
ioned and high-backed chair, in all his English dignity — 
somewhat ludicrous — his cap of red velvet, yet perfectly 
at ease, sitting with it upon his head. Gracious smiles 
from the ladies fair, must have welcomed that honored 
guest to Childbury, such as each young man may have 
envied. And there he sat to witness the matrimonial 
alliance that would bring new blessings into his family 
circle. His heart may have beat high with joy as the 
blushing bride, with exquisite grace, was led up to wel- 
come him there. And came this dear old man, Mr. Eli- 
as Ball, alone, to the banquet hall? Oh, no; for, doubt- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 53 

less, resting on his arm was his wife, Mary Delamere, 
closely followed by her name-sake, a timid girl of four- 
teen, encouraged on by her sister, Eleanor, just turned 
of sweet sixteen, who was soon introduced to Mr. Lau- 
rens, a young man of fine talents, with steady business 
habits, having lately come home from England, twenty- 
three years of age, and in the enjoyment of many bless- 
ings. His sound information, and ready manner of com- 
municating his knowledge, rendered him exceedingly 
popular among the men, and his stories of abroad, de- 
lighted the mammas, who thought "he might propose." 
From that night, Henry never became forgetful of love 
and devotion to his Eleanor, yet wisely consigned three 
of the fairest years of his existence to uninterrupted 
labor, ere he led her to the Hymeneal altar; when and 
where I will tell you; at Coming Tee, in January, 1750, 
from whence he brought her to a residence in that beau- 
tiful cottage, in the centre of that square already de- 
scribed to you, the whole comprising an elegant garden, 
to which she added many exotics. Her sister Mary, 
who was born in 1732, died in 1748, aged sixteen; their 
venerable father in 1749, aged seventy-seven. 

At that wedding the widowed Mary, mother of the 
bride, stood by the hearth, weeping silently, at the re- 
collection of those she had so lately lost; yet there was 
a beam of joy rushing into her heart at her daughter's 
happiness. Eleanor appeared before her select party 
in all her wonted loveliness, and when called on to re- 
peat the solemn vows, her fortitude and composure 
never forsook her. Of their native bloom, her cheeks 
were never robbed, nor did her voice seem once to 
falter. On her, every eye was fixed in admiration; at 
her side, as bride's-maid, stood Judith Boisseau, who, 
like herself, had numbered nineteen yearS; and Martha, 



54 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

the sister of the groom, who, the ensuing month, became 
the wife of Mr. Bremar. Eleanor's half-brothers, Elias 
and John Coming Ball, were present, with their Lydia 
and Catharine. Mr. and Mrs. George Austin, with 
their Eleanor and George, were there. The latter dis- 
pleased his father as he grew up, and was cast off — he 
died young. Mr. Richard Shubrick, the widower of 
her half-sister, Elizabeth; and Richard, their only child, 
were there — (she lies by her sister, Anne Austin, at the 
south door of St. Philip's Church). Mr. Bremar and 
James Laurens were the groom's-men; a goodly com- 
pany. Not by a Cardinal Richelieu, or Mazarin, neith- 
er by some lordly Bishop of London or Canterbury was 
that knot tied, but by the Rev. Robert Coming. He had 
taken St. John's Parish Church in 1749, and only lived 
to the 26th of July, 1750. - 1 will not tell you that the 
ceremony which united two devoted hearts took place 
in a splendid room, carpeted with crimson and black, 
set round with crimson covered chairs and tables; that 
it had a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, or that a 
shower of glass drops, hanging in silver chains from the 
centre, was shimmering with little soft tapers. Oh, no; 
there were no fantastic curtains, but close board shut- 
ters, that kept out the January blast. It was that same 
plain south hall in old Uncle Coming's part of the 
house, to which a large addition has been made, years 
ago, by Mr. John Ball, the father of the present propri- 
etor of Coming Tee, Col. Keating Simons Ball, the hos- 
pitable gentleman. Mr. Laurens having attained to his 
most ambitious aspirings, bid adieu to the country, and 
returned to his city business, whilst his Eleanor, happy 
in her new home, attended strictly to her domestic du- 
ties, and also superintended with maternal care her gar- 
den plants, assisted by John Watson, a complete Eng- 



TirKIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. OO 

lish gardener, wholly under lier control. He was from 
her father-land. The eye of Mr. Laurens was uncom- 
monly penetrating. Miss Ramsay has a full length 
likeness of him in her Broad street drawing-room; also 
a beautiful picture of his Eleanor and their son, Col. 
John Laurens of the Revolution. Several of their grand- 
children liave been valued and admired for their talent 
and industry. One of the females, now passed to glory, 
altliough not decidedly handsome, had exactly the sweet 
smile of her grandmother, as is to be seen on her pic- 
tured lips, whenever she was met and spoken to; for 
then lier cheeks flushed with the fire of pleasure, her 
eyes were brightened up, and, to the taste of many, she 
was quite a pretty woman, and far better, a very sensi- 
ble one — a widowed mother carefully guiding the noblo 
minds of her sons aright, designing them for usefulness. 
One of them passed away before her; the other bids 
fair to be a patriot, and to glory in his country, which ho 
well knows, has given birth to characters, both in civil 
and military departments, which may vie with the wis- 
dom and valor of antiquity. In his immediate family, 
we can name to him Rutledge, Laurens, and Ramsay, 
and remind him that he needs no louder incentive to the 
path of glory and usefulness, than the recollection of 
the virtues and talent of his forefathers: men who, al- 
though reared in the very lap of luxury, and shielded 
from every rude breath of fortune, never allowed the 
syren voice of indulgence to keep them back, when 
their country was to be served and guarded, talked for, 
or fought for. Go, young scion, with some of the best 
blood flowing in your veins, and do likewise. Go on, 
and repay by your correct conduct, the devotion of that 
mother who may even now be your guardian angel, and 



56 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

that of others who continue to watch over you with pa- 
ternal solicitude. 

Adieu, my dear young female friends — to smile upon 
this youth, you have permission from 

The Ancient Lady 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 57 



Charleston, January 2%t\ I860. 

"To catch dame fortune's golden smile, 

Assiduous wait upon her; 
And gather gear by ev'ry wile 

That's justified by honor; 
Not for to hide it m a hedge^ 

Not for a train attendant ; 
But for the glorious privilege 

Of being if i dependent." 



LETTER V. 

My Dear Friends, — 

Hither, in the prime of manhood, came John Adam 
and Peter Horlbeck. Of probity and enterprise, they 
could not fail of success in business. They arrived in 
1764. John Adam Horlbeck was born on the 11th of 
February, 1729, at Leibnety, near Plauen, a town of 
Upper Saxony, in Voigtland. He lost tliat truest of 
friends, his mother, at the early age of fifteen years; for 
none can stay the relentless hand of death; there he 
had entered the field of promise, and put his sickle to a 
precious flower. ''Not old on earth, yet ripe for heav- 
en," she went forth to that land from which she could 
not be called back by the eloquence of tears; content 
with celestial treasures and attractions she heeded them 
not. Yet why should we mourn departed Christian 
friends? since they have only passed away from earth, 
behind the veil of our mortal siglit, and there live on as 
before. We, too, shall soon fade away from these 



58 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

scenes of social life, into the morning light of a hriirhter 
existence. Doubtless, the plain home education of lier 
sons had given them that habit of industry and perse- 
verance never shaken off in after-life; they, too, had 
been brought up with proper ideas of reverence for age 
and authority, so little known in our day. Parents, in 
the olden time, rightly conceiving religion to be the great 
safeguard of a nation, taught it to their households. 

Of a cheerful and buoyant disposition, possessed of 
excellent judgment, and of more discrimination than 
usually falls to the share of one so young, John went 
forth to seek his fortune and found it. Having served 
in different capacities until he was twenty-one, he then 
went to learn his trade in Berlin, where the King of 
Prussia resided; there he served three years with Chris- 
tian Buckholtz; in 1754 removed to Copenhagen, where 
he was employed on the palaces. The year 1755 found 
him in Russia; working three years at Rica and one at 
St. Petersburg. Then he started for Lubec and Ham- 
burg, and at Altona went after the French and German 
army which engaged near Russian Minden, a town of 
Westphalia; whilst his brother Peter remained a^ Ham- 
burg, nine miles south-east of Duderstadt. After that 
he went to England, where Heisel persuaded him to join 
the artillery. From 1759 he remained two years and 
six months at Woolwich, then desiring to transfer him- 
self to the East Indies, he arranged with Peter for the 
journey, but his plans were frustrated by illness. His 
brother went, after it was concluded that they should 
meet in London at a given period. His state of health, 
however, led to a change of mind, and induced him to 
embark for Q,uebec, in the snow Friendship, Capt. Sher- 
wood; they were cast away on the Banks of Newfound- 
land, near the River St. Lawrence, on the 11th of July, 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 59 

1762, after a passage of fourteen weeks. They remain- 
ed on tlie rock one month; and on llie lllh of August, 
were taken ofT by a fishing-boat, liaving all that while 
subsisted on crabs, lobsters and sea-dogs. The sufTcr- 
ers were carried to Cape Bretain, Louisburg, thence to 
Halifax, where John remained seven weeks, employed 
by a countryman of his, in splitting stone and building 
dry walls. He then started for Boston by water, thence 
to New York by land, making it his home for two years, 
with the exception of a voyage to London, in the ex- 
pectation of meeting his dear Peter, from the appoint- 
ment made in 1763; but he was doomed to disappoint- 
ment, for the vessels in which they were, had passed 
each other in the Channel. Peter had embarked on 
board the ship King George, Captain Howard, who left 
the metropolis the day before John Adam reached it. 
There arose a report that the King George had sprung 
a leak and put into Portsmouth. Immediately, although 
the sun had set, the alarmed and anxious brother started 
in pursuit, and lost his way during the darkness of the 
night. The watchman of a village guided him into the 
right road; he was fourteen miles out of the track. Ar- 
riving in less than twenty-four hours, precisely four too 
late. After a short rest, he retraced his weary steps to 
London, occupying three days, in consequence of his 
feet being much swollen. At the Exchange, he met 
with Capt. Jacobson, a Moravian, whose persuasions 
brought him again to New York. There, he worked 
only three weeks, when this restless cosmopolite took 
passage for Charles Town, and arrived safely in Septem- 
ber, 1764, where he soon joined Peter, at his lodgings, 
busily arranging a plan, with whom he immediately en- 
gaged in business; he having been persuaded by Col. 



60 



Henry Laurens — that man of discernment and prompt 
action — to remain in this country. 

The first piece of work that fell to his lot, was the 
pavement in front of the State House. Peter ha^ then 
been six months in the city. In 176H, John Adam vis- 
ited England and his home in Germany, leaving an 
affianced bride, to whom he was united soon after his 
return, in 1769. This chosen one was the widow Cole- 
man — she, as a maiden, had been Elizabeth Geiger. 
Then arrived several cargoes of stone, slate, &c., &c. — 
for ''The Exchange" — to procure which had been the 
object of his voyage to Europe, previously to the voyage 
matrimonial. During the Revolutionary war, he was a 
member of the Fusilier Company, and walked from Sa- 
vannah to Charles Town with his gun and bayonet. 

On the 9th of May, 1766, an agreement was made be- 
tween Peter and John A. Horlbeck, builders, and Col. 
Henry Laurens, for building a house of two tenements, 
on the eastern point of the land where he then lived. 
It was to be sixty feet long, thirty-eight wide, and twen- 
ty-throe high, above the cellar foundation, with two 
kitchens, wash-houses and all other necessary out-build- 
ings, for Avhich would be paid £7,250, current money. 
These habitations may have been intended first for rent, 
and in after-years for his sons, Henry and John Lau- 
rens, then in their youth — they passed, finally, into the 
possession of Henry, the heir to the large property by 
the law of primogeniture, still in force at the time of his 
father's death, in December, 1792 — it was abrogated 
within the next year. The house has, from time to 
time, been so worked upon and metamorphosed, that 
could the builders raise their buried heads, it is doubt- 
ful whether they could recognize it as a part of their 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHITRCHES. 61 

handy-work. It is now the property of Mr. Alonzo J. 
White. 

Articles of agreement were made and signed in 1767, 
by Peter and John Adam Ilorlbeck, masons, on the one 
part; and the Honorable Peter Manigault, Esq., Benja- 
min Smith, James Parsons, Thomas Lynch, Benjamin 
Dart, Miles Brewton, John Rutledge, Charles Pinck- 
ney, and Henry Laurens, Esq'rs, Commissioners in be- 
half of the public of the Province. '' Whereas, by an 
Act of the General Assembly, passed on tlie 18th of 
April, instituted an Act for granting to his Majesty the 
sum of £60,000 currency, for the building of an Ex- 
change and Custom House and new Watch House for 
the service of this Government," it was agreed that 
Messrs. Horlbeck should build them on the ground on 
the east end of Broad street, where the Watch House 
then stood. The foundation of good bricks and mortar, 
ninety feet from north to south; sixty-five from east to 
west ; five feet below the street, or until a proper foun- 
dation shall be found, and to be piled and planked, if 
necessary. Doors of the cellars to be made of strong cy- 
press, the windows secured by iron bars, and shutters on 
the inside. Windows to be glazed, of crown glass, twelve 
by fourteen inches. The flooring to be an inch and a 
half, of good pine, all else to be of cypress; mortice locks 
and dovetail hinges, and bolts to the up-siairs doors ; 
strong locks to the cellar door. For the entire job 
they were to receive forty thousand nine hundred and 
thirty-six pounds, lawful current money, reserving to the 
Commissioners the right to make alterations in the plan 
as the work progressed. We have perused an autograph 
letter from that man of business, Mr. Laurens, written 
from Charlestown, S. C, on the 9th of May, 1768, to 
Mr. John A. Horlbeck. "Sir: When you should have col- 



62 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

lected the sundry materials which you are now going to 
England to purchase, for the intended building of a new 
Exchange and Custom House, in Charlestown, it will be 
well worth your consideration, by what means you may 
obtain freight upon the cheapest terms for such articles. 
If you hire a vessel in the ordinary way, to pay ffright 
accordingly to the custom of the port of Bristol, I am 
apprehensive that such ffright upon stones and other 
coarse articles will run excessively high in proportion 
to their value. Wherefore I recommend to you to con- 
sult Messrs. Wm. Cowles &, Co., upon Chartering a pro- 
per good vessel to bring out your goods in consideration of 
your procuring a load for her in return to Europe again. 
You may probably meet with one to import the goods 
here fTright-free, or for a very moderate ffright upon the 
conditions above mentioned, of being loaded here again; 
and provided such vessel shall arrive here about the 
month of December or January. I think you will run 
no great risque'of losing by a charter upon the usual 
terms. You will have the assistance of Mr. Cowles, 
who will be better able to give you advice upon this 
head when the Tonnage and bulk of your goods shall 
be known. Therefore I refer you to them for improv- 
ing or rejecting the present hints; and wishing you 
good health and a prosperous voyage, I conclude, sir, 
your most obedient servant, Henry Laurens." 

This advice and assistance were both gratuitous and 
generous, as the contractors to build were to furnish all 
materials at their own expense. He was then forty-four 
years of age, early trained to business habits. You have, 
many of you, read in Dr. J. B. Irving's delightful liitl 
book, " A Day on Cooper River," of Mr. Laurens send- 
ing a servant with a lantern to light Mr. John Harles- 
ton, his young man, to the counting-house, on a morn- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 



63 



ing that he failed to be tliero by ihe dawn of day. Mr. 
Laurens then wrote to Cowles & Co., to introduce Mr. 
J. A. Horlbeck: 

''May 9th, 17G8.— Our old friend, Mr. Hopton, and 
myself liave, as the surities of the Messrs. Horlbeck, 
entered into bond with them to the public for the per- 
formance of the covenants in their Agreement. We call 
on you as our principal trust and dependence, for pro- 
curing materials and money to pay for them. As Mr. 
H. intends to inspect each article himself, a good deal 
of trouble will thereby be saved on your part, and he 
will be satisfied with his own acts. I am anxious to do 
the Messrs. Horlbecks the most service in my power. 
Let them have money to the amount of one thousand 
five hundred pounds sterling — being the sum lodged in 
my hands by them for this purpose, yet you will please 
furnish more, if needed. And I beg leave (as well as 
their business in general) to recommend the bearer of 
this to your especial attention and friendship. He is a 
plain, honest man, (^ the noblest work of God,' says 
the poet,) and will give you little trouble. Will you be 
so kind as to give him letters of introduction to the 
towns, on his present errand. He is likewise a diligent, 
stirring man, and will require expedition in all his 
measures, in which I have told him you will not be be- 
hind-hand. They desire that their shipments shall be 
secured by insurance. As they have to compleate the 
building within a certain limited time, under a heavy 
penalty, it is absolutely necessary to guard against ev- 
ery accident from whence delay may be dreaded. 

'' I am, with true regard and esteem, gentlemen, your 
obliged friend and servant, 

'' Henry Laurens. 

<' N. B. — I shall send vou the si^^nature of John A. Horl- 



64 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

beck, to guard against imposition, in case of any evil 
befalling him on his passage." 

Finally, the builders were paid on the 24th of Decem- 
ber, 1771, for finding all materials and building the 
Exchange and Custom House, — £41,740 currency. 
And so entirely had they earned their employers' re- 
spect and good opinion, by the manner in which the 
contract had been executed, that their confidence and 
support was never withheld. 

We will retrograde to 1761, and read of John A. Horl- 
beck's protection against Impressment, &c., &c. — 
Whilst employed as a laborer in his Majesty's service, 
at the Royal Laboratory, at Woolwich, England, for 
six months, it stated that the bearer, a Foreigner, was 
entitled to the king's protection." He is then described 
as thirty-two years of age, of brown complexion, 
wears his own hair, was born in 1729, and was five feet 
seven inches high." We continue to see the value set 
upon the character and competency of these brothers, by 
the following notice: "Articles of agreement made on 
the 1st of May, 1770, between the Honorable Rawlins 
Lowndes, Esq., John Rutledge, Henry Laurens, Benja- 
min Dart, David Oliphant, John Poaug and Miles Brew- 
ton, Esq'rs, of the one part; and Peter and John A. Horl- 
beck, brick-layers, of the other part." An Act had 
been passed the 7th of April, for building a powder 
magazine at Hobcaw Point, and another on Charles- 
town Neck, not exceeding four miles distance from the 
town ; each place to be capable of containing forty 
thousand pounds weight of gunpowder, and enclosing 
the same with a substantial brick wall. The land on 
the Neck, belonging to Miss Margaret Elliott, was 
bought whereon to build the magazine. The founda- 
tion to be two and a half feet below the surface of the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 65 

earth — of good brick and mortar; thirty-seven by tvven- 
ty-tliree feet nine inches. The wall five bricks length- 
ways thick for five feet up; above that, four bricks. 
Three rows of shelves in the magazine, from one end 
to the other. A folding-door to the inside, and a single 
door to the outside; to be very strong, with the best 
of locks and hinges. The wall around to be seventy- 
one feet four inches by fifty-eight in extent. Thir- 
teen feet six inches from the foundation to the top of 
the parapet, with thirteen buttresses thereto, projecting 
three feet from the foundation. The wall, a brick and a 
half lengthways thick ; and the same to be covered with 
broken glass bottles; a strong gate, with locks and 
hinges. The masons to provide, at their own expense, and 
charge all materials. Cost unknown." In 1768 they 
had erected a house of fifty feet front on the west side 
of King street, between Messrs. Cohen and Denneri- 
ty's. '' To be two tenements, six rooms in each — all with 
fire-places — two cellars of six feet deep." We have not 
found Mr. Laurens the active man in 1770; for then it 
was that he sustained the immense loss — that of his be- 
loved wife — leaving his daughters, Martha, (the future 
Mrs. David Ramsay,) and Mary Eleanor, (afterwards the 
wife of Mr. Charles Pinckney,) to the maternal care of 
their good aunt, Mary, (Miss Petre,) the wife of his bro- 
ther James, — a lady whose sound judgment, refined 
manners and eminent piety, well fitted her for the 
charge. Mr. Laurens went, in 1771, to Europe, where 
he superintended the education of his two sons — Hen- 
ry (his heir), and John, (who was killed in South Car- 
olina on the 27th of August, 1782,) until 1774, when 
love for his country brought him back to its defence 
against the aggressions of Britain. Mrs. Laurens was 
buried in the west yard of St. Philip's Church, near the 

4 



^^ OUR FOREFATHERS t 

north-west corner of it, and her grave covered by a flat 
stone upon the brick foundation. It was broken down and 
destroyed by the enemy, when the old White Meeting 
House was converted into a granary or store house by 
them 

We will turn our attention to the second genera- 
tion, and remark on John Horlbeck, whose letter to a 
friend shows his noble confidence in his father's good 
sense, and that as a son, the right road for him was 
implicit obedience to, and cheerful acquiescence with 
his requirements. And yet we will dare to say that 
very moderate had he been in urging his parental 
rights. But believe me, the implicit deference exact- 
ed in childhood is the secret of the young man's sub- 
sequent respect for his superiors: 

^'Charlestown, October 27th, 1790.— My dear Friend." 
He writes to him that a very sickly season was just end- 
ing, in which his uncle Sass lost his son, Henry, who 
was coming on very brisk in his education, and that 
his little son, Neddy, continued ill. Amongst the great 
number who had died, he tells of John Deas, Esq., and 
John Deas, Jun., Esq., Mr. Michael Black, Mr. Philip 
Prioleau, little Peggy Lindauer, and little Miss Tharin. 
He sends the compliments of his brother and self to Mr. 
Jacob Williman — speaks of his continued aj)plication to 
the French language, and practising the piano forte, 
which took up ail his leisure hours. His business was 
flourishing and never neglected. Anxious as he was to 
go abroad and improve by travel, it must be deferred 
indefinitely, '^ as my father cannot spare me yet." No 
murmur therein expressed. He hastens on to say '' The 
city is improving vastly. The outside work of the 
Stale House finished; and it is slated, ''The Ex- 
change is being under repair, Caca Swamp to be filled 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 67 

up, and Church street to be continued across it. We 
have built several public drains, and re-built one of the 
burnt houses in Broad street, and others of them are 
partly finished. We are now erecting^ a large three- 
story house on Gaillard's Wharf, (or Wragg's.) All 
this since you left us.'' 

A letter of John Horlbeck, dated 1790, to his ''Dear 
Frederick," acknowledging the receipt of his, of the 8th 
of October, 1790, and informing that he had also written 
in that month — on the 15lh of it — to Fred. He excuses 
himself for seldom using his pen, on the score that as 
all his business is out of doors, he has not pen, ink and 
paper at hand, as their friend, William Faber, and 
others had; he adds, "I am exceedingly happy in hear- 
ing of your welfare, and the happiness to your parents. 
The time is not far off when we hope to see you safe 
returned from your studies, and we enjoying ourselves 
in the blessings of life, and in the sacred friendship of 
our former days." He tells him of gamblers and coun- 
terfeiters then in jail, after causing great loss to Mr. J. 
D. Vale and others. One of those cheats had called 
himself Benjamin Waller, and another had the impu- 
dence to assume the name of "Our illustrious patriot, 
Washington," which called forth the ire and indignation 
of the penman, who hoped they would both be hung. 
A Mr. Crowley had discovered their tricks; then he re- 
marks, ''The General Assembly met at Columbia, and 
1 believe will prolong the paper medium; the proposal 
is for it to be paid by seven instalments, with interest, 
and to be burnt. John Charles Smith presented a peti- 
tion to the House, praying a divorce, but it was imme- 
diately thrown out — (poor fellow ! I believe he wants a 
young wife.) Mr. Matthias Lifecape died with an in- 
flammation of the lungs, and Mr. Andreau Redman 



68 OUR forefathers; 

drowned himself, in a crazy fit, at Gadsden's Wharf. 
Let me tell you of some who have married of late : Mr. 
Charles Graves to Miss Ann Toomer," [their daughter 
Ann, as Mrs. Newman Kershaw, died a few months 
ago — their daughter Charlotte, is Mrs. Birch — and their 
son, Dr. D. D. Graves, of our city.] " Mr. Solomon Le- 
gare to a Miss Swinlon," [the parents of the talented 
and lamented Hugh Swinlon Legare — of Mrs. Eliza, 
the wife of Col. John Bryan — and Mary, Mrs. Bullen, of 
Marion, Linn county, Iowa.] "Mr. Shepeler to Miss 
Dorothy Marshall," [John often visited the mother of 
Frederick, who expressed a dread of a prolonged ab- 
sence, yet consented to his going to Germany the last 
summer of his stay from her, and then return to Edin- 
burgh to take his degree, and come home.^ *' Father can- 
not spare me yet, but I hope he may be able to do so be- 
fore your return to us. Dr. Peter Horlbeck," [his first- 
cousin, the son of Peter,] ''has left Dr. Harris, and is 
now clerk to Dr. Chanler, under a salary; his father has 
removed his family entWely to the country now, and has 
sold his two houses in the alley. Parson Faber bought 
one, and papa the other." Dr. Chanler also had a 
country seat near Mr. Horlbeck's Oak Grove, just at 
the north of Tranquil Hill Avenue, contiguous to Col. 
Hutchinson's land, and finally, when sold, was merged 
into the *' Traveller's Rest" Plantation, belonging to the 
family of the late Major Edward L. Hutchinson. A 
bridge on the road near the former settlement, yet retains 
the name of "Chanler." The doctor used to be the ter- 
ror of girls in that vicinity, from his love of kissing; he 
was the maternal grandfather of our worthy and Rev. 
Mr. Alex. Marshall, of Hampstead; his father was a 
most eloquent and learned Baptist Minister of a church 
on Ashley River. You will find him mentioned in "Ca- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 69 

rolina in the Olden Time," wiili a record of his death 
in 1749. Dr. Peter did not follow his parents then to 
the country, but removed to Philadelphia, where he pur- 
sued the study of medicine, and after beinjr graduated, 
became an ornament to liis profession, in the neighbor- 
hood of Dorchester, St. George's parisli. It will not be 
out of place, here, to introduce a letter of his, fraught 
with wholesome advice, to his young brother — Master 
George — at Oak Grove; dated Philadelphia, 1792, De- 
cember the 31st, at ten o'clock, at niglit. It was sent 
by Mr. Thomas Baas, his cousin, (the grandfather of 
Mr. Thomas Baas, of Mobile, now, but a native of South 
Carolina. He married Eliza, the daughter of Mr. Isaac 
Perry, whose wife was a Miss Droze.) 

"My dear Brother, — Your favor, without date, came 
safe to hand, this day, the last of the old year; I accord- 
ingly sit down to write, wishing you a very happy new 
year. Not only that, but all the blessings of life which 
this world can afTord ; it is a wish that flows sincerely 
from my heart, not only to you, but to all our family. 
Upon perusing the contents of your letter, I was much 
surprised to find that your intention was laid to mechan- 
ism. Your brother, (always anxious for the welfare of 
his family,) thinks proper to suggest to you the follow- 
ing observations, thinking that you will not take amiss 
what he is about to say. The writing that was in what 
you sent to me, was elegant and masterly; it pleased 
me beyond your imagination; but, alas! when I read 
the contents of your letter, it surprised me as much to 
find bad spelling, as it pleased me to find good pen- 
manship. I showed your writing to several, but I dared 
not allow them to see your composition, for fear they 
would form bad ideas of you. For, you must know, that 
writing a good, plain, fair and legible hand, does not 



70 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

entitle you to the smiles of the world, but a rough hand, 
well spelt, always does more credit to the author, than 
a beautiful, well-formed hand, badly dictioned and illy 
spelt, as I am very sorry to say was your case, my dear 
George, in the letter you sent me, which, I have every 
reason to believe, was intended for a test of your abili- 
ties, but must inform you it would have been a poor 
one, had I showed it to any of the band of literati. I 
often (and not without pain) heard you express a desire 
of becoming a mechanic, and of that class called cabi- 
net-makers." He then stated, that the morrow, being 
a vacation in the Medical Seminary of Pennsylvania, 
where he was studying, he would write a long letter; 
and such it proved, indeed, for it extended to twelve 
pages of letter-paper, saying: — 

"You are a youth of fourteen years, have had a liber- 
al education, but much to be lamented, it has been of 
that kind which does not make you fit for anything; I 
will even say, you are not fit to be anything else but 
a cobbler, and hardly that. You have been at college; 
[Bishop Smith's, in Charles Town.] You have been, 
I may say, everywhere, that our parents thought you 
could be benefited, and after six years' schooling where 
are you? Can you decline a noun substantive in the 
English language? I say no — you cannot. Can you in 
the Latin language? I say, you can; but what of that? 
We are not Latins, we are Americans, and the English 
Grammar is our rudiments. I say, without a perfect 
knowledge of the English Grammar, you are unfit for 
anything — aye, even for a cobbler. One who intends 
to be among the respectable class of American world, 
or 1 may rather say, in this western hemisphere, should 
certainly understand the language grammatically, in 
which his countrymen communicate their ideas to each 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 71 

Other. George, remember ihat you are not to prepare 
yourself merely for the trade of a cabinet-maker, but 
for a political, civil, military and religious life. I am 
sure that your mind is not so narrow, as to allow you 
to think that you are never to be engaged in any otlier 
employment than the bare making of chairs and desks. 
For who knows but that your countrymen may, one day 
or another, call you forth as a politician. What service 
will fine writing do you then? Will it esteem you as a 
jjolitician? or as a defender of your country's rights? or 
will it add one single tittle to your respectability in pri- 
vate or public life? I will now turn my attention to an- 
other point. You are born of honest and industrious 
parents, whose zeal and industry in promoting the wel- 
fare of their family, I hope will soon reward them. 
Although not rich, they are honest; fraud never stained 
our name, but ill luck has oft hovered around us. Our 
intentions have been good, but our hopes have been and 
may be superfluous. Philosophy teaches us to bear all 
patiently, and look for belter. Our father was, and still 
is, a rpechanic, but of that class whose rank entitles him 
to association of Artist, (with reverence 1 say it;) his 
children were never designed to be mere mechanics; 
although a class of people who, at present, deserve and 
fill four of the highest offices of this Government. I 
say we were designed to assist in exploring nature, and 
pointing out things which will raise and hand our names 
down to posterity. Where is there a part of the globe 
which furnishes greater opportunities of exploring nature 
than America? Let not Europe boast always that her 
sons are only those who have ever found out any of the 
hidden tracts of nature; but let us show the proud sons 
of Britannia that we do not only excel in pointing out 
our rights to other nations, but that we have statesmen, 



72 OUR forefathers; 

politicians, warriors and men of science, as well as they 
have. When I was of your age, George, my ideas 
were upon the seas; but happily for me, they were not 
cherished by my parents. 1 thought not so then, for I 
was fickle and full of seeing the world; but now I have 
seen the best city in America, and therefore am satis- 
fied/' Yet, he was of opinion that every lad should 
see something of the world, before he made choice of 
a trade or any occupation, by which a livelihood was to 
be gained. He proceeds thus: — "God has put us into 
this world, each one to act his part, and each one to be 
paid according to his deserts. In the presence of his 
Maker, there will be no distinction between a monarch 
and his subjects. Earthly people say, that 'Physicians 
are at the head of artists, and cobblers at the tail of 
mechanics;' yet both are men, created after the image 
of God : why, then, this distinction observed ? Be- 
cause the artist looks forward to be a proficient in na- 
ture, to examine nature's walks and gather the fruits of 
good. If your intention is turned towards mechanism, 
is it to establish your name as a great desk builder? or 
do you intend it only as a support in private life? Pre- 
miums are given to the most ingenious (in Europe) in 
arts and sciences, but it is not the case in America. 
Reflect well, before you hurry into the making of stools 
for children, or bird-cages for silly people; hold up your 
head to something more really beneficial. Why not 
embrace the calling of our father; for I assure you it 
is the supremest calling of all the various branches of 
mechanics; but if bent upon the cabinet-maker's trade, 
never tliink of coming to Philadelphia to learn it. This 
city has the name of being the first Medical School in 
the world, but does not excel in the mechanical line; be 
assured it does not, nor never will. I am writing to my 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 73 

broilier, in wliosc welfare I myself partaUc; his doing 
well shall ever make me haj)py. But i)eople do not 
well consider things, until they have hastily plunged 
into matters from which they cannot easily extricate 
themselves. Brother, your knowledge will increase with 
your years. Let me advise you to study Entick's Dic- 
tionary profoundly. Make yourself perfect master of 
your mother tonp^ue ; learn to read and write that with ac- 
curacy; after that, make choice of a trade, not only for 
a livelihood, but to excel in it. America begins to rise; 
if you propose to settle in South Carolina, let me advise 
you to be a house-carpenter or a brick-layer, for such 
will be in great demand. For, as the emigrations to 
America are numerous, the price of property must in- 
crease, and the call for workmen of all sorts be great. 
You need not be in a hurry about it; see that you first 
understand how to speak properly, before you attempt 
to seek for a living. If your mind turns upon accumu- 
lating a fortune, 1 advise you to choose the mercantile 
line; but first study Entick's Dictionary, English Gram- 
mar, rf^ading and arithmetic; for you may follow wliat 
branch of life you will, you will most certainly stand in 
need of such knowledge; therefore, go and prepare now, 
for when once you are fixed to a trade, you will never do 
much more than your work. There are very few cabi- 
net-makers in this city; carpenters answer all their pur- 
pose. People do not look upon grandeur here; a chair- 
bottom weaver makes more money than a cabinet-maker. 
The only trade that you can be taught liere, is that of a 
brick-layer, and that you may learn here superior to any 
part of the world. Do not conclude on any trade until I 
reach home in the spring. There are only two cabinet- 
makers of note in this city, and neither of them are su- 
perior to Mr. Sass; they will, cither, take you; but you 
5 



74 OUR forefathers; 

must find your own clotliing, and they will find you ilie 
necessaries of life. As for an ardent, there will be no 
great difficulty in that; I have several friends here, who 
will readily bind 3'ou, and that tight enough; you need 
not be apprehensive of that, in the least degree. My 
love to father, and lell him that 1 received the last re- 
mittance sent me by Mr. Baas, and thank him. My 
love to all, niother, sisters and brothers. I remain your 
loving and affectionate brother, P. Horlbeck. 

"N. B. New Year's morning: forgive, if I have seem- 
ed to you harsh in my language — it was dictated by the 
purest afTection for you, my dear young man of only 
fourteen years." 

Perhaps my readers will say, rather so, to a confiding 
youtli who had sent, in all his pride, such a sujierb speci- 
men of chirography, for the admiration of an elder bro- 
ther, to whom, in all likelihood, he looked up as a model 
in mind and fuanners. Yet we cannot fait to commend 
Peter, for the prompt and faithful manner in which he 
discharged his supposed duty towards George. 

He was certainly right in condemning that the living 
English should be sacrificed to the dead Latin; and 
doubtless, had there then been as great stress laid on the 
art of writing well, as an im])ortant part of education, 
as there now is, he would have made George a chirogra- 
pher, and opened a school for him in the adjacent town 
of Dorchester — or had him engaired as writing-master 
in the academy of that place. This lengthy epistle may 
not have been penned in vain; it may have had great in- 
fluence in forming the character of the recipient. How 
beautiful was this brotherly exchange of affection. So 
far as the private history of that family has trans})ired, we 
find the parents striving to impress the ductile minds of 
their children with high maxims of religion and virtue, 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 75 

imbuing llieni with the sjiirit of justice and generosity, 
and above all, a scrupulous love of truth. They had the 
benefit of mental and moral culture at home, from both 
father and mother, where all seems to have been peace- 
ful. Their plain, direct good sense, and prompt deci- 
sion, governed strictly, yet kindly, exacting deference 
whilst it inspired affection. How unlike was their 
liousehold to that of some belligerent families of chil- 
dren, with whom we sometimes chance to meet. In a 
coming letter, on Dorchester, we shall find Dr. Peter, 
full of Christian sympathy for a bereaved widow and 
her hapless children. 

We return to write of his father's early settlement in 
the country. "At Dorchester, in 1778, he was called 
on to pay a militia fine. At a Court held the 3d of Sep- 
tember, by Capt. Benjamin Waring, (who removed to 
Columbia,) Lieut. Thomas Smith, (the grandfather of 
Thomas Flenry Smith,) Ralph Izard, and John Smith 
Waring, (who married Ann, tlie sister of Lieut. T. 
Smith,) officers of the company under the command of 
Capt. Joseph Maybank, Mr. Peter Horlbeck was fined 
in the sum of ten pounds, for being absent at muster the 
first Saturdays in July and August last. Received the 
same in January, 1779 — signed, Gery Keckley." In 
1770, The Public in debt to Messrs. Horlbeck, for sun- 
dries, and laying the foundation of Mr. Pitt's statue, 
£170 14 shillings 6 pence. To inside pedestal, £52; 
for two prime hands to assist Mr. Ardron, twenty days, 
at 40 shillings and pence each day, £80. Apprentice, 
twenty days, £20. Peter, the oldest brother, was both 
brick-layer and civil engineer. 

The will of John Adam Horlbeck leaves to his be- 
loved wife, Elizabeth, a full third of all liis real and per- 
sonal estate duriuir her natural life. The use and in- 



76 OUR forefathers; 

come of the remainder of his estate to his sons, John 
and Henry, in equal shares. He had houses in King 
and Moore streets, (now Horlbeck's Alley ;) much proper- 
ty was given in trust for his grand-children. This deed 
was witnessed by John Christian Faber, Jacob Sass and 
J. R. Switzer, November, 1802. He was interred in the 
German Lutheran church-yard on tlie 4th day of April, 
1812, aged 83. ''Funeral charges: for the service of the 
minister, $5; hearse and pall, |1 50 cts.; organist, ^2; 
fifteen invitations and attendance, So; total $13 65 cts.; 
digging the grave, $1 25 cts. — Total $14 90 cts. Re- 
ceived payment from Jolm Horlbeck — Signed, Paul 
Hill.'^ 

Allow me now to introduce you to Miss Esther Bish- 
op, who was born in German}^; she lived and died mid- 
way between Meeting and King streets, on the south 
side of Boundary, now Calhoun street. Her first hus- 
band was Mr. Faulker, or Vulker; he died about 1769. 
The second was Conrad Keysell. The third was Wil- 
liam Stent. She died, and was buried on the 1 9th of 
February, 1788, in the German church-yard; her only 
children were Margaret and George Faulker. Her sis- 
ter Agnes married Mr. Crider; they left no child. Elias 
Buckingham, an Englishman, married Margaret Faulk- 
er; they had four children, Elias, Louis, Margaret and 
Esther. Margaret was born 1778, married 1798, died 
in 1835 — aged fifty-seven — as Mrs. Henry Horlbeck. 
We will read as follows: "State of South Carolina: 
This certifies that on the 22d of February, 1798, Mr. 
Henry Horlbeck, of the city of Charleston, in the State 
aforesaid, and Miss Margaret Buckingham, of said city 
and State, daughter of the late Elias Buckingham, and 
grand-daughter of the late Mrs. Esther Stent, were law- 
fully joined together in the holy state of matrimony, the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 77 

ceremony of their nuptials having been solemnized by 
me, by virtue of a license granted by Charles Lining, 
Esq., Ordinary of Charleston District. And I do fur- 
ther certify, that the said Margaret is now in the twen- 
tieth year of her age; she having been in her fifteenth 
year when she was publicly confirmed in the German 
Church of Charleston, on the 24th of March, 1798. In 
testimony whereof, I have hereunto put my hand and 
seal, this 6th day of September, in the year of our Lord 
180'.^, and in the twenty-seventh year of American Inde- 
pendence. John C. Faber, Minister of the German 
Church.'^ (His venerable widow yet lives; also his 
daughters, Mrs. Faber and Mrs. Bennett, and his son, 
Mr. Joseph Faber.) Then comes this testimony of 
Isaac Motte Dart, that Faber signed the above, and he, 
as a Notary Public, sets his hand and seal. 

The children of this happy union were: 1st, John 
Buckingham, born the 5th of January, 1799; Henry, the 
28th of October, 1800; Elizabeth, Elias, Louisa M., Da- 
niel, Edward, Peter, Ester, Ann Geiger^ John (Lewis, 
•who died just after birth; Jane, died the same;) Buck- 
ingham died at the age of twenty, on the 11th of Feb- 
ruary, 1842, six years after his father, and seven after 
his mother, who died on the 22d of February, 1835, the 
thirty-seventh anniversary of her marriage. The hus- 
band followed on the 17th of December, 1837. Marga- 
ret Horlbeck was the only surviving daughter — if you 
recollect — of Elias Buckingham, an Englishman, who 
had settled, previously to 1760, in St. Matthew's Parish, 
Oranjreburg District, as a planter. He took no part in 
the Revolutionary contest, but retired, with his famih'' 
and Mrs. Stent, his mother-in-law, to the High Hills of 
Santee. In 1781, he divided his property, by three deeds^ 
to his sons, Elias and John Lewis, and to Margaret. The 



78 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

Confiscation Act was passed the following year, and 
his lands claimed. But after the establishment of peace, 
they were restored, in consideration of his having been 
a conscientious Tory, and that, on retiring, he had left 
his well-stored plantation for the good of the public, and 
the Americans, on taking possession of that part of the 
State, luxuriated on his corn, peas and stock. After the 
death of their mother, the children came to live in the 
city ; the sons died previously to their father, who made 
a will, in 1787, by which all of his property was left to 
his daughter, who, you know, was married, in 1798, to 
Mr. Henry Horlbeck, by the Rev. John C. Faber, when 
in her twentieth year. On the death of her grandmo- 
ther Stent, she removed to live with Mr. Daniel Strobel; 
this was on the 19lh of February, 1789, the very day on 
which Louisa Strobel (afterwards Mrs. Markley) was 
born. Mr. Elias Buckingham had entered upon a 
second marriage — a matrimonial engagement which 
proved so unfavorable that he had to dissolve it. He 
died in 1787, and was buried on land in St. Matthew's 
Parish, which has since been sold to Peter Vogle, when 
an acre was reserved to the family, according to the 
dying request of Capt. Henry Horlbeck. 

The following letter gives us some idea of the estima- 
tion in which this latter personage was held by the com- 
munity in which his life was spent : "Charleston, Jan. 9th, 
1836. From the German Fusileer Society to his family, 
on the melancholy occasion of his death, written by Mr. 
J. Charles Blum, Secretary of the Society. He had been 
summoned from their circle to a better world, leaving a 
bright example how, as a citizen, husband, father and 
friend, he had faithfully discharged his duties. They 
would reflect with great pleasure on the character drawn 
of the deceased, by the feeling and eloquent divine who 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 79 

ofTicialed at the last ofTiccs to liis remains (Dr. John 
BacliiTian.) Lonor ^vill be remembered with pride, llie 
many proofs of liis zeal and untiring efforts for tlie im- 
provement and success of ilie Company, while under liis 
command, and after passing to lliat of anollier ; and his 
great usefulness and attention to the welfare of the So- 
ciety, and the distribution of its charily. It was resolved 
and acted upon, lliat the bereaved members of tlie 
Society wear the usual mourning for thirty days; and 
tliat a copy of the preamble and resolutions be furnished 
to the family of the deceased, and tlie same be entered 
on the journals of the Society." An heir-loom has de- 
scended to this, the fourth generation of the family, in 
the shape of a German Lutheran hymn and prayer-book, 
formerly the property of John Adam and his wife, Eliza- 
beth (Coleman) Horlbeck, in whicli are to be read tlie 
following memoranda: '' Elizabeth Gciger, (widow 
Coleman,) wife of John Adam Horlbeck, was born 9th 
of March, 1740; she died 5th of November, 1802, aged 
sixty-two years. Her husband was born on the lllh of 
February, 1729, died 1st of April, 1812, aged eighty- 
three." This sliows a disparity of nine or ten years in 
tlieir ages; the one thirty, the other forty, at the period 
of their marriage. Here is the accojint of that event in 
the hand-writing of llie bride herself: " 1709, fabry 
17th. I left the Congaras and came to Charles Town 
the lOili, and was married b}' Parson Cuper, (Cooper,) 
on the 25lh of fabry, 1709." Signed '* Elizabeth Horl- 
beck." Then he has recourse to the pen : *' Mv u'ell- 
beloved son, John, was born in Charles Town, on the 
20th of Sept., 1771, and was baptized in St. Philip's 
Church, on the 25ih of October, a month old. John A. 
Horlbeck." "My lovini^- son, John, was weaned on tlie 
loth of November, 1773, and on the Gih of Feb., my 



so OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

loving son, Jolin, went to school for the first time, 1775. 
Eliz'th Horlbeck." ''Our well-beloved son, Henry, 
was born on the 27 lb of October, 1770, on Sunday night, 
between 11 and 12 o'clock, and was baptized, on the 
liihof December, in St. Philip's Church, by Parson 
Smith. John and Elizabeth Horlbeck.'' "My beloved 
son, Henry, was w^eaned 17th of February, 1779." At 
the birth of each son, follows tlie additional information, 
''and it was in sign Taurus." John's baptismal witnesses 
were Mr. Caley Boocquet and Mr. Wagner. Henry was 
baptized by Rector Schmidt ; the witnesses, Henry But- 
ler and liis wife, and Dr. Hahnbaum. Thus early were 
their only two cjjildren dedicated to God. The descen- 
dants of Henry are around and about us. To them, he 
had taught the lesson, that human life is full of woe, and 
tliat charity was the angel to bind up the sores of our 
fellow-creatures, heal the broken in heart, clothe the 
naked, and feed the hungry. Impressing it upon the 
hearts of his children, that the pleasure which springs 
from charity, proves its origin to be divine. And nou^ 
they form households enjoying much comfort and har- 
mony in each other's society, distinguished for the sim- 
ple straightforwardness and integrity of their characters, 
blended with promptness and sagacity. Ever warring 
against self-indulgent habits, full of gravity and deci- 
sion in conduct, yet possessing a frankness and modesty 
that cannot fail to inspire cordial regard. Amiable and 
courteous in manners, and well luc know of liberal and 
generous spirit. In the fulness of fraternal affection, 
unimpaired mutual confidence, and unbroken faith, 
maintained inviolate, may they continue to glide smooth- 
ly down the stream of time, hale and hearty to the last 
liour of life, as the reward of their active, industrious 
and frugal habits. Believing, as they have ever done. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CIirRCHES. 81 

lliat it is a false and sickly pride, tliat makes a man 
ashamed of physical labor, we flatter ourselves, that 
their sons will never cease to venerate the names of 
their forefathers, and be proud of the deeds and virtues 
of their ancestors. 

A word more of llie original Peter, before the curtain 
of niglit has fallen upon my pen. We see, that in 1779 
lie was paid for three negroes and a boat, pressed into 
the service for five days. The neighborhood tradition 
respecting the beautiful oak avenue is, that Mrs. Peter 
Horlbeck transplanted trees from other parts of the land, 
where there formerly were a great many, until man, 
prompted by the demon mammon, uplifted his sacrile- 
gious hand, felling them as timber for the shipwrights. 
Others go further back, and assert, that those mighty 
monarchs grew from acorns placed in the earth by the 
mother of Mrs. Horlbeck (probably a Baas) in her 
youth, and were pronounced eighty or one hundred 
years old about fifty years ago. You see that I am 
taking my readers back to a very remote antiquity. 
Tradition is the great stream of knowledge which we 
receive from by-gone ages, and although we cannot place 
implicit faith in all its teachings, yet in many cases it 
is invaluable. Memory takes me back sixty years, when 
those trees gave a most refreshing shade at mid-day in 
August, as my grandmother's equipage drove up to a 
venerable-looking wooden edifice, rather the worse for 
wear externally, but internally conveniently arranged, 
where an ancient couple received us with true Southern 
liospilality. We were taken out to walk on a tour of 
observation, and shown many contrivances entirely 
novel to a child. It was a visit to make a lasting im- 
pression. The evening found us again inmates of Tran- 
quil Hill, two miles from Oak Grove, which, to my 



82 



youthful imagination, was surely a palatial mansion, an 
elegant residence, rendered more attractive by its beau- 
tiful southern court-yard, with its frravellcd walks, en- 
closed with living box, and containing flowers of ever}^ 
hue and tropical fragrance. To the warm, youthful 
feelings, the gardens were Hesperian, beautified with 
beds of flowers, embowered walks, cool retreats, and al- 
cove seats. The widely extended fields were perfectly 
Elysian. There a considerable portion of my life was 
spent, and much of my knowledge of the olden time was 
gained from my grandmother, as she had received it by 
traditions handed down to her from her parents, as they 
received it from theirs. And now that my heart and 
strength are failing, and I feel that I am drawing to the 
close of a busy, care-worn, fleeting and unprofitable life^, 
often do my thoughts revert to my childhood, and then 
do I 

"Ever find myself a-dreaming 
Of the pleasant days of old, 
When I trusted outward seeming, 
Nor believed the heart grew cold." 

Yours, ever, 

The Ancient Lady. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 83 



OLD DORCHES.TER. 

February 6th, 1860. 

A hopeless ruin ! o'er her graves, 

Her shattered tombs, her rifted tower, 

Her shafts, where the tall ivy waves ; 

We paused and spent a contemplative hour : 

And as I viewed it ; in my mind 

A picture of past days designed — 

Forgotten rites renewed ; 

And I beheld assembled there, 

From porch to chancel, bowed in prayer, 

A countless multitude." 



LETTER VI. 

Strange that a late tasteful writer of Dorchester, for 
Russell's Magazine, should consider its history an 
enigma, yet acknowledge his belief, that it was not an 
insignificant village, and brings history to confirm the 
opinion. The novel of Mr. Simms, (our gifted author 
and kind hearted gentleman,) alluded to by that writer, 
bears the title " The Rebel of Dorchester," (not the revels, 
as he thinks,) intended for the gallant Col. Isaac Hayne, 
the illustrious martyr in freedom's cause, who, in July, 
1781, was captured by a party consisting of ninety Brit- 
ish dragoons; who sabred the brave Capt. McLachlin 
and his brother, with twenty unresisting Americans. 
The troop was headed by mad Archie Campbell, who is 
said to have expressed keen regret that Hayne had not 



84 OUR forefathers; 

died the deatli of a soldier. As the Russell contributor 
nobly desired to be set right on any mistaken points, we 
feel emboldened, from long personal acquaintance, to as- 
sert that Mr. and Mrs. Richard Waring of Tranquil Hill, 
(now the property of Dr. Hay from Barnwell, who mar- 
ried Caroline, the only daughter of Mr. Christopher 
Gadsden Hasell, and his wife, Miss Matilda Perry,) had 
neither son or daugliter; but really possessed the faith- 
ful man (Sampson,) who was on one occasion dispatched 
westward across the fields " by the short path," as he 
Avould have called it, to give the important information 
at the Fort, which was then garrisoned by Americans, 
among whom was his master, Richard Waring, a sturdy 
patriot, springing from a knight of the Norman conquest. 
Often have we heard the old man say that he lost no 
time, feeling that the safety of the Fort depended upon 
his speed. By that route, the distance is not more than 
three quarters of a mile, w'hilst around the road measures 
fully two miles ; over which the troop of British cavalry, 
must move quietly, and almost noiselessly, until 
very near, lest the rattling of their scabbards against 
their stirrups, or the sound of their horses' tread upon 
the earth, should attract attention. The negro arriving 
in advance, gave the alarm. '' Everything was imme- 
diately put in order, and the place prepared for the attack. 
The enemy finding themselves baffled in tJieir design, 
returned quietly from whence they had come.'^ The 
author of that pleasant article has so courteously asked 
for further information that it would be affectation to re- 
fuse, especially as we are told that it is the duty of every 
one now to rescue from oblivion, each well authenticated 
fact within their reach, which may be of value to future 
historians. On these truths rest n^y only apology for 
obtruding upon the notice of the public. How many 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 85 

of the actors in that momentous drama, the Pevolution, 
whose deeds, patriotism, and losses should have been 
recorded, are scarcely mentioned by name in historical 
book's. But of late there seems lo be a great deal of in- 
terest manifested on the subject of the '' Olden Time," 
and many of us are claiming- patriotism as our household 
inheritance. Accounts of local interest are hourly mul- 
tiplying to delight the antiquary, and aid him in his re- 
search. Curious inquiries are being made into the lives 
and manners of " our Forefathers ;" not to discover their 
errors, fur should any such be found, we will not anx- 
iously search out tlieir nakedness, but rather approach 
their faults backwards, and throw the mantle of charily 
over them. We find in our day many highly endowed 
minds, and ready pens writing of the Olden Time, with 
a joyous enthusiasm that never wearies. The field is 
ample, and abundantly rich in subjects of home scenes 
and events. We only propose to add one story more to 
the long list. 

The agreeable unknown penman from whom I quote, 
tells us, "that the town of Dorchester ^^ as regularly laid 
out ;" that " two streets, at right angles to each other, 
can be distinctly traced, their directions pretty nearly 
north and south, east and west ; the main street — the 
one running north and south — was closed at its southern 
extremity by the walls, and commanded throughout its 
whole extent, by the guns of the Fort. The church 
stood at the eastern end of the other street, which was 
terminated at its western extremity by the Ashley River. 
Thus the limits of the town are pretty well defined in 
all directions, excepting the north ; but we may presume 
that it did not extend beyond a dense wood now lying 
on that side, about half a mile from the fort. Many of 
the houses were built of brick, and thus their sites can 



Ob OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

be easily determined. " He goes on to add : ^' Until witli- 
in the last twelve or fifteen years, the church and fort, 
which is built of concrete, were in very good preserv^a- 
tion. But the mania for brick led the sacrilegious Van- 
dals of the neighborhood to fire the church. A portion 
only of the tower remains. The inhabitants of the sur- 
rounding countr}^, as soon as the church was burnt, fell 
to work and carried away every brick they could lay 
their hands on. Rumor says, they were afraid to touch 
the tower, because there was a chance of its falling on 
them, and therefore it remains. The trenches which 
have been dug to obtain the brick foundation, serve to 
show that the structure was cruciform ; and the windows 
of the tower, that it was Gothic; all else is left to con- 
jecture. The massive plaster of the tower, is complete- 
ly corroded by the eflbrts of youths and maidens, am- 
bitious of immortality, to inscribe tlieir names." He 
goes on to remark, that the Fort in itself is an enigma, 
possibly built by the Spaniards, when in possession of 
the sea coast. We know of a certainty that was never 
the case, and liave understood that the Fort was coeval 
with the New Charles Town, built by ourEnglish Fore- 
fathers, as a defence against the Westoes and other tribes 
in that vicinity — to prevent their descent to the settle- 
ments on the ocean or its neighborhood. " Whenever or 
by whom the Fort was built, may remain a matter of 
doubt; but the strength of the structure is beyond all 
question. One bastion was of brick, and has, of course, 
disappeared before the brick mania, the rest is entire. 
Within the last year (I85S), the interior of the Fort has 
been cleared and planted." There was a garrison 
stationed in Dorchester for a few weeks, during the war 
of 1812. To destroy that steeple, we are told, would 
require the use of pick-axes, and nervous arms, for 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 87 

sucli is tlie strength and cjuantity of the cement wliich 
liolcls tlie hricks togetlier, ilial it would be an Herculean 
task to take it down, and withal, a very dangerous un- 
dertaking. Another fluent pen, lliat of Mr. Samuel 
Tu})per, has even later, given us more on tiie subject of 
tlie past-away town and its beautiful church. He writes : 

'• Another old ruin besides that of Newington, ihougli in 
no wise connected witli Summerville, of which I have 
written, but which possesses, from its historical associ- 
ations, a gr<^at degree of interest to visitors, can be seen 
sonie four miles from the village, uj)on the Dorchester 
road. It is the remains of a beautiful and symmetrical 
lower, about eighty feet still standing, and of itself es- 
tablishes the locality of a once flourishing and populous 
town. It is plainly discernible from the road, and is all 
that remains of old St. George's of Dorchester, and in 
fact, of llie town itself. The hand of the spoiler has 
been there, but 'tis a noble old ruin still. It was late in 
the day as we approached it, and the golden ligluof the 
setting sun lit up this solitary pile with unwonted gran- 
deur. It showed in bold relief against the clear blue 
sky, looming upwards in the midst of desolation and 
decay, a grand but mouldering monument to the dead of 
a past generation. 

"An embankment of earth encloses the lower and the 
few dilapidated grave-stones that surround it. Without 
the enclosure are corn and cotton-fields, while within is 
a dense tangle of vine and rank vegetation, which ren- 
ders the approacli to the ruin difficult and somewhat 
precarious. Rotten and decaying timber, suggestive of 
red-bugs, toads and lizards, crumble beneath the feet at 
every step, and an occasional snake will dispute your 
passage to the tower. The walls of the church building 
have almost entirely disappeared ; a trench alone re- 



88 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

mains marking the line of foundation, which has been 
industriously excavated, from time to time, to obtain tlie 
brick for building purposes in tlie vicinity. Soon the 
beautiful tower itself will disappear; already two of the 
lower arches have been broken through. Alas, that 
these Goths and Vandals cannot be stayed in their work 
of blight and desecration. Of the town itself, not one 
brick remains upon another; the plough has passed 
over it. We felt that we stood upon classic ground, and 
with saddened feelings the imagination pictured the 
scenes of love and war, patriotism and suffering, so 
thriilingly described by Simms in his Revolutionary story 
of the 'Partisan.' We could even fancy where stood 
the market-place and the ' Royal George,' and the 
burly form of old Dick Humphreys, the tender-hearted 
Bella, and Sergeant Hastings, stood before us, furnish- 
ing a group to the picture. The old fort of Tapia-work 
is still standing in a horse-shoe bend of the Ashley, and 
in a remarkably good state of preservation. The walls 
are from six to ten feet in height, with cedar trees of 
venerable appearance growinof out of them. The old 
fortress seems still capable, with a few repairs, of as 
good defence as when Proctor, with his red-coated gar- 
rison, commanded." 

On reference to Dalcho's "Church History," we 
find that the Parish of St. George's, in which Dor- 
chester lies, contained, in 1717, five hundred Eng- 
lish whites and thirteen hundred blacks. In 1719, 
they began to build the church, which was of brick, fif- 
teen feet long by thirty feet wide, besides the chancel; 
in which year also the rector arrived. In 1723 and 1724, 
a market, semi-annual fairs and free-school were estab- 
lished by enactment. In 1733, we learn that the church 
was in a ruinous condition, and they were trying to 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 69 

raise funds to repair it. On llie 4th of May, 17^^'^», 
an Act \vas passed " for building-, enlarging and pewing 
the parochial church of St. George's Parish, in Dor- 
chester;" another Act was passed for the benefit of llie 
free-school, and tlie master was required to teach Greek 
and Latin, and also tlie principles of the Christian reli- 
gion. In 1730, the repairs to the cliurch were about 
completed. Soon after 1750^ a steeple was built by sul>- 
scription, and in 175:^, a subscription was opened for a 
"Ring of Bells," which was successful. In 1782, Dor- 
chester was said to be declining. Dr. Dalcho states, in 
18'20, tlial " St. George's Cliurch is now in a state of di- 
lapidation, without altar, priest or congregation. Tlie 
parochial register and journal are lost. Tliere is a hand- 
some service of communion-plate belon^ring to tlie Par- 
ish " The plate is now in use in St. Paul's Churchy 
Summerville, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. 
Philip Gadsden. The Fort may possibly have been 
built as early as 1074 or '70, as an invasion of the Span- 
iards and Indians, which continued to be threatened, 
rendered the position of Charles Town, on the west of 
the Ashley, very insecure; the Westoes, north-west of 
the settlement, had, as early as July, 1072, exhibited a 
warlike disposition. This probably, wiih other reasons, 
prompted the early change of locality, for the second 
time, and placed the seat of government on Oyster Point, 
admirably conceived for the purposes of commerce, at 
the confluence of two spacious and deep rivers, the Kia- 
wah and Eli wan, which, in compliment to Lord Shaftes- 
bury, had already been called after him, Ashley and 
Cooper. In a late beautiful edition of Dr. Simms' 
'• History of South Carolina," long anticipated and de- 
sired, he tells us, that "in I()90, a colony of Congreira- 
tionalisis from Dorchester, in Massachusetts, ascended 



90 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

the Ashley River nearly to its head, and there founded 
a town, to which they gave the name of that which they 
had left. Dorchester became a town of some import- 
ance, having a moderately large population and consid- 
erable trade. It is now deserted ; the habitations and 
inhabitants have alike vanished; but the reverend spire, 
rising through the forest trees which surround it, still 
attest (in 1840) the place of their worship, and where 
so many of them yet repose;" and shall until the last 
trumpet's sound awake the dead. 

We may not charge the erection of the Fort upon those 
men of faith^ as they placed their meeting-house beyond 
the reach of its cannon, designing to carry the Gospel, 
and not the sword amongst their Indian neighbors. To 
this day continues a feeling of pleasure, almost amount- 
ing to pride, in a part of the present congregation, now 
under the care of the Rev. Andrew Pickens Smith, (a 
descendant of the Landgrave, Thomas,) who believe, 
that their place of worship was the very first erected in 
the province, beyond the precincts of Charles Town. 
Yet, the Baptists contend, that they had a temporary 
shed, put up in October, 1682, on Cooper River, a few 
miles from Charles Town, on Oyster Point, for the Rev. 
William Screven, and the congregation that he brought 
with him. They called their settlement " Somerton,'' 
from their former home in Somersetshire, England. 
After two years, they removed to town, and built in 
Church street, on the site where now stands the so-called 
First Baptist church, although, in truth, the third built; 
the old one was taken down in 1808, to prevent its fall- 
ing and crushing the Methodists, to whom it had been 
fifteen years lent — that being a new sect in this place. 
To neither Congregationalist cr Baptist will the Hugue- 
nots yield the palm. They claim (and no doubt justly) 



TIIKIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 91 

to have been llie pioneers in Carolina of the Cliristian 
Churcli. 'J'hey first raised the banner of the Cross in a 
land untrodden by civilized man; and by them was or- 
rranized the first congregation of Christian worshippers 
in South Carolina. At a future period, we hope to es- 
tablish their claim to precedence. Yet, in passing, we 
will mention, that tlie Huguenots — transported in the year 
lOSO, "in his Majesty's ship, the Richmond," to manu- 
facture silk, and cultivate the olive and the vine — were 
located on the eastern branch of the Cooper River, after- 
wards called '' Orange Gluarter," by others who joined 
those who were there — sent out by William III., Prince 
of Orange, after his accession to the throne of England 
in 1688. 

A bequest to the congregation, made by Caesar Moze, 
of thirty-seven pounds, to be appropriated in aid of a 
church, renders it at least probable that there was not at 
the time a suitable edifice for the occasion; the will bears 
date 1087. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantz, in 
1085, depriving them of the only securities of life, liber- 
ty and fortune, which their previous struggles had left 
them, drove many of the Huguenots to Caroh'na, most of 
whom settled on the Santee, in St. James' Parish, and 
built their church, from which Lawson tells us, he met, 
in 1700 or 1701, a large congregation returning. It was 
between the Echaw and Santee Creeks, near Captain 
Philip Gendron's residence. Few churches, even in 
Charles Town, date so far back as this of 1685 or '86; 
none go back to the date of 1680, when there was service 
held at the settlement on the eastern branch of Cooper 
River. 

Wlien the lower part of tlie province was divided into 
parishes on the ;30th of November, 1706, "Orange Quar- 
ter" fell within the limits of St. Thomas'; but as iiiw of 



92 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

its inhabitants understood English sufficiently to attend 
the service of the church, it was erected into a parish, 
and called '< St. Dennis/' Their means being inade- 
quate to the support of a clergyman, they petitioned the 
Assembly to be made a parish, and have a public allow- 
ance for the support of a minister Episcopally ordained, 
who should use the Liturgy of the Church of England, 
but should preach in French. It then became a chapel 
of ease to St. Thomas' Church. Mr. LePierre being in 
necessitous circumstances, the Assembly, on the 11th of 
October, 1711, granted him twenty pounds, currency, for 
''his present relief and support," and on April 2d, 1712, 
they added fifty pounds to his salary; an Act was passed 
in June, increasing it to one hundred pounds per annum. 
He died in 1728, and was succeeded by the Rev. John 
James Tissot, who lived until 1763. In the town, the first 
St. Philip's, which stood where the only St. Micliael's 
now stands, was built in 1081. There was no other 
Episcopal Church in the province until 1703, when 
Ponipion Hill Chapel, in St. Thomas' Parish, was erect- 
ed by subscription, largely assisted by Sir Nathaniel 
Johnson. The Congregational Church, (sons of the 
Puritans mostly,) or White Meeting, on the meeting- 
house road — where the Circular now stands — was put 
up in 1690, and that at Dorchester in 1696. The 
Calvinistic Church of French Protestants was built 
between those dates, in 1693, by the Rev. Elias, 
son of Samuel Prioleau, and his wife, Jeanne Mer- 
lat, from Xaintonge, in France, who brought out a 
small congregation with him, soon after the Revocation 
of the Edict of Nantz, in 1685, when the ministers were 
ordered to depart within fifteen days, under the penalty 
of being sent to the galleys. The reverend gentleman 
died on his farm, near Charleston, in 1799. The emi- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 93 

grant, Isaac Mazyck, who arrived in 1680, contributed 
largely to the building of lliat Huguenot Church in 1091, 
and gave liberally towards its support during his life, 
and in his last will bequeathed the sum of one hundred 
pounds sterling, to be put out at interest by liis execu- 
tors; the whole of which interest he directed to be paid 
annually, forever, to the maintenance of a Calvinistic 
minister of that church. That was the congregation 
ordered by the Grand Council, in 1092, to begin their 
divine service at nine o'clock in the morning, and about 
two in the afternoon; for which they very properly 
complained to the Lords Proprietors, who ordered their 
grievances to be redressed; adding, ''and they shall 
hold their service when they please; many living out of 
town must come and go by water, early or late, as the 
tide serves." Well may our quiet, industrious and 
highly respectable " Huguenot forefathers " have ex- 
claimed : " Ye sons of England, ye take too much upon 
you." Too long were they denied the liberty of sub- 
jects, when they desired to live under the same govern- 
ment as the English. Having fled from persecution and 
death at home, to seek an asylum amidst the woods and 
swamps of Carolina, how trying to their sensibilities 
must have been those memorials presented to the Gov- 
ernor, setting forth reasons, which ought to exclude them 
from a seat in the General Assembly, together with 
many other occurrences injurious to their feelings and 
interest. Threatening to have their estates taken from 
their children, after the death of parents, because they 
were aliens; although many had bought the land they 
were not allowed peaceably to enjoy. So that the pro- 
prietors had to warn the English, that should the French 
estates be forfeited, they should escheat to them ; add- 
ing, "may God forbid that we should take advantage of 



94 OUR forefathers; 

the same; and we forbid you to sa}', thai their marriages 
are not lawful, because tlieir ministers are not ordained 
by a bishop, and that tlieir children are illegitimate. 
Know then that we have power by our patent, to grant 
liberty of conscience in Carolina. All their complaints 
shall be heard with favor, and they shall have equal jus- 
tice with Englishmen, and participate in the same privi- 
leges; it being for their Majesties' (William and Mary) 
service to liave as many of them as we can in Carolina." 

My obliging young friends will pardon this long di- 
gression, and we will speak of the duaker meeting- 
house, built in 1690, Governor John Archdale, a Quaker, 
promoting the work. He arrived in August, 1695, and 
published his commission on the seventh of that month. 
It bore date August 80lh, 1094; he was sent out to assist 
the first Landgrave, Thomas Smith, in the government 
of the refractory colony, but found him dead, and suc- 
ceeded by his friend, Col. Joseph Blake, who had left 
England in 1682, as told. After serving for one year, 
Archdale removed to North Carolina, and Blake was re- 
elected in 1696; he died in 1700. The Presbyterian 
Church was not put up until 17:51, as the Rev. Archibald 
Stobo, (who was providentially thrown upon our shore,) 
after preaching a short time for the Congregationalists, 
in 1704 removed to Wilton; there and elsewhere estab- 
lishing churches of that faith. 

By your leave, we will return to Dorchester, on the 
north-east bank of the Ashley River, which, as I have 
previously stated, was commenced to be built in 1696, 
by a colony from Dorchester, Massachusetts, which re- 
moved with their minister, the Rev. Mr. Lord, and left 
again, (for the most part,) in 1752, under the care of his 
successor, the Rev. John Osgood, for Midway, Liberty 
county, Georgia, where they built a church, thirty miles 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 95 

south of Savannah. Tlie Revolution broke up and scat- 
tered the congregation. An item in tlie will of Mrs. 
Anne Boone, (Miss Blake,) of Mount Boone, (now New- 
ington,) near Summerville, St. George's Parish, reads 
tlius: "To the Rev. Mr. John Osgood, my minister of 
the Gospel, near Dorchester, I give one hundred pounds." 
(To her Charles Town minister, the Rev. Josiali Smith, 
she left two hundred pounds.) The will was proved on 
the 25tli of October, 1751, and with that legacy paid by 
Mr. Henry Smith, of Goose Creek; her executor, the 
minister, left the province. Amongst those who arrived 
with the Rev. Joseph Lord, were man}^ monosyllable 
names, as Hill, Glaze, Maull, Hugh Droze, Robert and 
Samuel Lee, Thomas Clarke, Cook, Molly White, Jo- 
seph Joor, Robert Dense, John Rose, and last, not least, 
Dowse. Well do we remember, years ago, an aged 
saint, "Old Aunt Dowse," who had spent her early life 
in our Dorchester, but removed finally to this cit3% 
where she died, and, we presume, lies buried in the Cir- 
cular church-yard, or probably carried to be laid amongst 
her relatives and friends at the Dorcliester meeting- 
house, which is about two miles from the river. The 
lower town was chiefly built at a more recent period ; 
most persons think about the close of the Proprietary 
Government, in 1719, and that the durability of the Fort 
and steeple prove them to have been the work of skillful 
architects, of the same cement, and simultaneously. On 
the last anniversary of the "Landing of the^ Pilgrims," 
the Hon. Edward Everett gave an eloquent eulogy on 
one Thomas Dowse of that company or sect. 

Our widow may have belonged to his family. She was 
a cherished guest in the house of Mrs. David Cruger, 
(Miss Guerin,) which stood where "the Hall or Club" 
of the gentlemen is now seen in Meeting- street. She 



96 



OUR forefathers; 



was a lady beloved for her piety and warm-heartedness. 
Tradition tells that the Joors were Dutch proselytes, 
who left Leyden some months after the band of Puritans 
in 1620, and joined them in Massachusetts, and came 
in 1696 here. The mother of Capt. Joseph Joor of the 
Marines, who was blown up in the Frigate Randolph, 
in April, 1778, was long remembered as " the beautiful 
Dutch Lady," the envy of her compeers, the admiration 
of children ; for retaining the primitive little linencap of 
her grandmother's, worn close to the head, frilless, of 
the finest texture and of spotless purity, simply confined 
by a narrow band of the same material, called in the 
olden time, a chinstay. Then followed a list of dis- 
syllable names, such as Thomas and George Morton, 
Jennings, Lyons, Carr, Morgan, Stewart, Vv^illiam Lysle, 
Benjamin and Isaac Perry, Samuel Fuller, Thomas 
Evans, John Norris, Seth Prior— whose descendants con- 
tinued to keep a tavern thirty years ago, on the road, not 
more than a half mile from their place of worship; be- 
tween that and the ''Gallows tree" of the Revolution. 
They were Seth and Sam Prior, who clung to the old 
habitation, so long as its timbers held together. The 
Puritans, on their removal of a part of their congrega- 
tion from this State, divided their Library. Mr. Henry 
Smith continued Librarian for those that were left ; the 
books were kept at his Beech Hill plantation, a few miles 
above Dorchester, until his death, in 1780, when they 
were divided amongst the surviving members of the 
Society, the Revolution having destroyed all order. The 
site of that former residence is nearly opposite to 
Westoe, in St. George's Parish, (the property of Eliza, 
the widow of Mr. George Henry Smith;) it is a high hill, 
shaded by lofty oaks, and where is yet to be traced the 
foundation of an admirably constructed dairy. Many 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 97 

years ago, ihe members of tlie Liberty county Library 
Society wrote here for information, respecting the num- 
ber and cliaracterof tlie books Jeft amongst us. When 
spoken of in families, an aged negro came forward, and 
claimed to have been the boy who was often mounted 
and sent by his master, Mr. Henry Smith, from Goose 
Creek to Beech Ilill, for the transportation of books, of 
which they were so careful, that he was furnished with 
a cowhide bag, to protect tliem from the weather, the 
liairy side in, to save from scratches. Alas, what a re- 
flection on the present generation of great readers and 
volume destroyers. We are told that St. George's Parish 
was divided from St. Andrew's, by an Act passed the Ulh 
of December, 1717. Two years after that, we find 
Thomas, (a high churchman,) the great-uncle of Richard 
Waring, Esq., of Tranquil Hill, associated with Alexan- 
der Skrene, Capt. Walter Izard and John Cantey, Messrs. 
Diston and Samuel Wragg, also, Jacob Satur, as com- 
missioners, who zealously promoted a subscription among 
the inhabitants of St. George's Parish, and they succeeded 
in raising £1,190, currency, to» which the Assembly 
added £4(30, for building the first English church in Dor- 
chester. It was of brick, fifty feet long, thirty wide, 
besides the chancel ; also, a brick dwelling-house was 
bought for a parsonage. This place, built by the Puri- 
tans, had become a neat and flourisln'ng town in the 
twenty-three years since their arrival. An Act was 
passed on the 15th of February, 1723, for settling a Fair 
and Market in the town of Dorchester, in Berkley county, 
it being a frontier. Market Tuesday and Saturday. Fairs 
to be held in April and October — each to continue four 
days. In 1724, a Free-school was established; for pa- 
rents had become justly apprehensive, that if the children 
were longer neglected, they should have a generation of 

7 



9o OUR FOREFATHERS ', 

their own, as ignorant as the native Indians. By 1738, 
the church of 17H) wasin a ruinous and dangerous con- 
dition, and entirely too small; for even when built, the 
parish contained one hundred and fifteen English fami- 
lies, amounting to about five hundred persons, and thir- 
teen hundred Indians and Negro slaves. Therefore, the 
Assembly passed an Act, on the 4th of May, 1738, for 
building the Parochial Church of St. George, but it 
was not carried, into operation, for another was passed 
on the 9th of April, 1734, for repairing, enlarging and 
pewing the old one. In 1741, the town contained about 
three hundred persons. In 1724, tlie white population 
in the entire province, only amounted to fourteen thou- 
sand. In 1(580, a war had commenced with the powerful 
tribe of Westoes, settled between Charles Town and the 
Edisto River ; wliich nearly broke up the English settle- 
ment. Mutual injuries had been given and received ; 
a peace was concluded by the next year, the old giving 
security for the good conduct of the young. Maurice 
Matthews, William Fuller, Jonathan Fits, and Jolin 
Boone, were appointed, to decide all complaints between 
the English and the Indians. They were murmured 
asainst and soon discharged; then the Proprietors ordered 
that the red men within forty miles of tlie town should 
be taken under tlie protection of the government, as the 
best remed}'. Fifteen years after that arrangement, the 
Pilgrims ventured to locate themselves twenty-two miles 
above the town, and kept peace with the sons of the forest. 
In 1734 the master elected to the Free-school, was to 
be capable of teaching Latin and Greek ; also, of in- 
structing and catechising youth in the principles of the 
'Christian religion. A Mr. Yarnod was their minister 
until 1736. — The Rev. Stephen Roe, until 1742, when 
he removed to Boston. — The Rev. William Cotes, from 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 99 

1748, until his death, in 1752.— The Rev. William 
Langhome, from that period to 1759. In 1753, he had 
wrilti-n to the Society, informing them that liis kind 
parisliioners had liberally enlarged the parsonage, adding 
necessary outbuildings, and had purchased two negroes 
for his service. They had likewise built a handsome 
steeple tothe church, and opened a subscription fora"ring 
of bells." He was succeeded by Winwood Sergeant, 
who remained until 1767. The Rev. Offspring Pearce 
was their minister from 1767 to 1769 ; at that time he 
visited England, and returned in 1771. The Rev. Henry 
Purcell supplied his place, through the year of his ab- 
sence. Mr. Pearce continued in this cure until his death 
in 1782. The town had then begun to decline, and his 
income fell with it; he died poor in temporal treasures, 
but rich in piety and good works. 

How consoling to many of us the reflection, that 
''those who have slenderest hold on earth," '"'have oft- 
time strongest trust in Heaven." He was an able scho- 
lar and sound divine, and his papers prove him to have 
been an industrious student. We should never suppose 
ourselves too old for application ; since, will not our edu- 
cation in all that is good, be continued in the world to 
come ? 

It has been happily remarked by Sir Edgerton 
Brydges, that *' the age of a cultivated mind is often 
more complacent, and even more luxurious than its 
3'outh, as the reward of the due use of the endowments 
bestowed by nature." From 1782 to 1811, the regular 
services were discontinued. The Rev. Edward Elling- 
ton, who had the Goose Creek Church until 1793, occa- 
sionally delivered a sermon within the crumbling walls, 
or some missionary visiting at Tranquil Hill. In 1811, 
the church was slightly repaired j and on St. George's 



100 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

day, the 23d of April, it was re-dedicated to the worship 
of Almighty God, by the Rev. Christopher Edwards 
Gadsden, Rector of St. Philip's Church. On tliat happy 
occasion we were among the throng, gladly bowed in 
prayer; but there was no established minister, and 
therefore the church seldom used, soon again fell into 
decay, forming the most beautiful of ruins — one that the 
fair fingers of skill loved to pencil from. Miss Mary, 
the sister of the gifted Hugh Swinton Legare, and Miss 
Sully, a daughter of the distinguished artist, made 
charming sketches also of the Congregational Church 
and of Bacon's Bridge, with its graceful trees overshad- 
owing the dark waters of the Ashley, so near its source. 
After the Revolution, Mr. William Blake, of New- 
ington, appointed a Lecture to be preached annually on 
St. George's day, charging his estate with twenty-five 
pounds per annum, as a remuneration to the preacher. 
Mrs. Ann Waring, (the daughter of John Coming Ball, 
and his first wife, Catharine Gendron, of Santee,) ever 
scrupulously attending public worship, and encouraging 
private prayer, then (in 1781) a widow, and almost be- 
reft of services at her own church, w^ent often (with her 
companion. Miss Ester Robert,) to worship at the meet- 
ing-house after 1796, (its centennial, when it was repaired 
and used.) Thus were her troubles early counted, and 
distinctly remembered to the hour of her death, and 
many were edified by her varied and valuable experi- 
ence, through the seventy-two years of her mortal exist- 
ence. She was a courteous and cheerful person, and in 
her latter years the Dissenters loved to designate her as 
'^ a mother in Israel;" she had become so much their 
pet and favorite, that many have fancied the old lady 
grew vain : for we all know how dangerous are the se- 
ductions of popular applause. She was born at Hyde 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 101 

Park, St. John's Berkley, on the 3cl of June, 1753, New 
Style, and tliere married on tlie 27th of January, 1771, 
by tlie Rev. Samuel Hart, to Mr. Richard Warino:, as 
his second wife. Her father had died in 1761, and her 
step-mother, Judith Boisseau, followed in 1772. An old 
journal, kept for twenty years at the Goose Creek family 
mansion, by Mr. James Elerton, the school-master, and 
Madam Smith's man of all work, tells us that on Easter 
Sunday, the lOlh of April, 1748, " we wrode patrole 
through the district, and Mrs. Susannah, (the daughter 
of Archar Smith, Esq., and his wife, Edith Waring,) 
the wife of Mr. Thomas Waring, of White Hall, had a 
son born." Richard, one hundred years after the birth 
of his great-grandfather, the first Landgrave, Thomas 
Smith, from Exeter, in England, whose grand-daughter, 
Anne Smith, married Mr. Benjamin Wearing, (a high 
churchman,) on the 14th of March, 1740; they were the 
parents of Richard's father, Thomas Waring. Our hero 
was married on the 20th of November, 1768, at the age 
of twenty, to Miss Anne Branford, and she, on the 25th 
of the same month, attended by a large company, went 
through the ceremony of the installation of a bride to 
the honors and duties of her new home. A page in his 
Bible reads as follows: '^ Richard Waring was married 
to Anne Branford, on the 20th, 1768. My son Richard 
was born September 1st, 1769. My dear wife departed 
this life on the 12th of September, 1769." The young 
wife and mother, consigned to the silent grave at Pine 
Hill, on the 13th, at the early age of eighteen years and 
six months; how soon was the young man called upon 
to endure distress and bend over a tomb. He writes 
subsequently — '* Richard Waring was married to Anne, 
the daughter of J. C. Ball, January 27th, 1771. Rich- 
ard, my son, departed this life, August 6th, 1771 ;" that 



102 OUR forefathers; 

was six months after passing into the hands of his step- 
mother, at the age of nearly two years. Another hand has 
added, that Richard Waring, Esq., died on the 17th of 
February, 1781^ aged thirty-three years ; and Anne, his 
widow, departed this life on Monday evening, the 24th 
of April, 1826, aged seventy-two years, ten months and 
twenty-two days, at Tranquil Hill, and was buried in 
the Smith family ground, at Goose Creek, according to 
her own request, by the side of her niece, Miss Polly 
Ann Smith, who had died in 1825 — and whose sister, 
Miss Elizabeth Smith, was laid there in 1846, near them 
both. Mrs. Waring died suddenly, but not unprepared 
for death. 

"Brief the time for soul communing, 
Few the hours for vain regret ; 
As her lamp was trimmed and burning, 
And her house in order set." 

Her partner in life had possessed those graces that at 
once distinguish and adorn the Cliristian character; he 
was a man of liberal education, benevolent heart, en- 
gaging deportment and friendly disposition, beloved and 
respected by many. Their portraits by that master 
painter, Mr. Simeon Theus, (a native Carolinian,) show 
a remarkably handsome young couple. The only fe- 
male living with them during the war, was Miss Ester, 
(the sister of Mr. Pierre Robert, of St. Stephen's Par- 
ish — he never married,) who on the death of her own 
aunt and adopted mother, Judith Ball, (Miss Boisseau, a 
sister of Mrs. Robert,) in 1772, in the hope of dispelling 
her powerful grief, followed the companion of her child- 
hood and youth (Anne Ball) to her new domicil, where 
she was received by Mr. Waring with true Southern 
hospitality, and long was ?he an inmate of that home. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 103 

for she was in no liurry for Elymen's ring, as you liave 
been informed in "Carolina in the Olden Time." There 
slie lived, delighted with both host and hostess — the lat- 
ter at that period was ont? of the most fascinating of her 
sex; we who have known her well, can attest that her 
personal attractions also extended far beyond the ordi- 
nary term. Afler an union of ten years, in which she 
had reigned absolute in her husband's heart and home, 
he willed her his entire properly, (as we see by the deed 
before us,) which amounted lo quite a fortune, added to 
her own possessions. In her wedded days, ladies went 
not forth arrayed in beggarly habiliments, neither at 
home did they engage in servile occupations; for negroes 
in those times were slaves — now they have gained the 
ascendancy, and become in South Carolina the masters 
and mistresses in too many houses, from whence arise 
the large amount of lamentable familiarity with the 
youthful members of some families — a subject greatly 
to be deplored, especially in this our period of confusion 
and misrule. 

We will turn our thoughts to a more agreeable topic, 
and lell how Mr. Waring, (one of a Landgrave's slock, 
both by his father and mother,) whilst accoutred as a 
noble gentleman, mounted on a high-spirited steed, with 
burnished sword by liis side, (in obedience to a la\v of 
the Province,) he, a true gallant in the esteem of all 
ladies, rode by the sid*^ of llie broad chaise that conveyed 
his two to the Episcopal Church, invited by the tones of 
its clear-sounding bell — distinctly heard at Tranquil 
Hill, on siill mornings. The period of mourning for 
good mother and aunt, Jud'lh Ball, did not extend beyond 
two years; then set they their ingenuity to work in 
making " musk melon shaped hats," and all manner of 
finery. The creative fancy grows by indulgence, and 



104 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

as costly materials were not wanting, they were soon in 
splendid attire. The heather apron of the vehicle was 
cautiously buttoned across to guard against dust or 
dampness. A bouquet of fragrant flowers was pinned 
against the stomacher; and thus arrayed, in llie richest 
brocades, ihey sallied forth to Dorchester. Even in old 
age, they had not survived a strong disposition to con- 
tinue worshippers in the Temple of Flora. Geraniums 
had come into fashion before they made their exit. Long 
ago, a precious shrub called the " tea-plant, or fragrant- 
olive/' and another, " the spice," or genuine bay or 
laurel — said to be that with which the Romans 
crowned their victors — were removed at tiieir desire from 
the neglected garden of Andre Michaux, the locality of 
which is in St. James, Goose Creek Parish, about ten 
miles from St. Michael's Church, on the State road, and 
is opposite to the present residence of Mr. Aaron Shier, 
and between the highway and the line of the South 
Carolina Railroad. To reach the spot, after passing the 
ten-mile spring, take the road to the left, which follow 
about a half mile. A beautiful tree from the tea-plant, 
raised from the original one, is to be seen in the front 
garden of the house in Aiken Row, the late residence of 
Mr. James Poyas, carried there some years since, from 
the Hampstead home of his aunt, Miss Smith, where 
may yet be found a tree of the spice or bay, at the west 
of the house. 

This Andrew or Andre Michaux, was a French tra- 
veler and botanist; he was born in 1746, at Satovy, near 
Versailles. About the year 1780, the Government of 
France sent him to America; he journeyed extensively 
tlirough the United States. Here he established the 
garden of which we are speaking, and into which he in- 
troduced a number of curious exotics, in addition to a 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 105 

great variety of native productions. The property on 
wliich the garden was located is now used for burning 
coal. He pnblislied a liislory of North American Oaks, 
and a North Annerican Flora. He died in 1802, on tlie 
island of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, aged fifty- 
six years. 

In a volume of travels of F. A. Michaux, M. D., pub- 
lished in 1805, occurs the following remark: 

" As soon as I had recovered, (from fever,) I quitted 
Charlestown, and went to live at a small house, ten miles 
from the city, where my father had formed a botanic 
garden. Here he had collected and cultivated, with 
great care, the plants he found in the long and fatiguing 
journeys which his ardent love of science made him take, 
almost every year, through the different countries of 
America." The same book mentions a " memoir" upon 
the climate of South Carolina, and upon the "culture of 
useful plants of the old continent," which Avas read to 
the '^Agricultural Society at Charles Town." He 
found many of the trees his ftither had planted, growing 
vigorously, though the garden had been four years ne- 
glected. 

We have a letter from a friend, the 27th of November, 
1797, New Style, written from " Happy Retreat," St. 
James, Goose Creek, which shows that garden to have 
been then in a flourishing condition, about ten years 
after Michaux's arrival. 

The same lady tells us in 1798, that on the 4th of 
February, she and other girls visited Mrs. Moultrie, at 
Winsor Hill, where they spent an agreeable time. Dr. 
Frazer was one of the company. A third letter, in April 
of that same year, laments the death of her old friend, 
Mrs. Moultrie, who had suffered greatly in her last ill- 
ness. She was buried at Winsor, where she died; and 



106 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

SO, too, was General William Moultrie, who died in this 
city, in 1805. Yet such is tlie usual neglect of planta- 
tion grave-yards, that when, in 1850, a committee of 
gentlemen desired to remove that patriot's remains to 
our beautiful Magnolia, the spot that contained them 
could not be ascertained, and the world cried shame 
upon us. 

You will now permit me to refresh my exhausted en- 
ergies by a night of sleep; for although made happy by 
excitement and research for your information and plea- 
sure, how delightful is that repose, to be visited by 
dreams, in which to meet those whom we have known 
and cherished in our childhood and youth, before the 
colder and sterner realities of life had engendered in our 
bosoms the plant of distrust and suspicion. The lieart 
still warms to them with its earlier and better impulses, 
and even in our sleep and dreams, carries us back to the 
pure and crystal fountain of sincerity and affection, 
whose delicious waters made all so happy and serene. 
And now, with the cheerful hope and fervent prayer, 
that our journey together through this earthly Canaan, 
may hereafter be resumed and perpetuated in the 
heavenly, the Ancient Lady bids her courteous readers 
a cordial farewell. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 107 



LETTER VII. 

February lOth, 1860. 

Apologizing-, my dear young friends, for so protracted 
a silence, will now revert to the point at which we 
left off, and give you the toilet of Miss Ester Robert in 
1775. 

" Come listen, girls, and I will tell 
About Aunt Hetty's toilet ; 
'Twas one that graced her passing well — 
Don't laugh, and make me spoil it. 
Aunt Hetty stood just five feet ten, 
"Without her shoes and hose, 
Well formed and graceful too, withal — 
Brown eyes and Grecian nose. 

" Her hair above her reverence bump, 
Was always neatly tied, 
And o'er a nine-inch cushion drawn, 
And fastened on one side ; 
While fearful frizzles stood upright, 
Upon her temple smooth : 
For glossy ringlets then were held 
Both ugly and uncouth. 

" Long strings of pearls of milky hue, 
Hung careless from her neck ; 
O'er her Vandyke, cut square before. 
Of muslin without speck. 
Her dress of costly damask silk, 
Full five ells wide, or more. 
Was sliffen'd with a whale-bone hoop, 
And swept the sanded fioor. 



108 



" The ample sleeve, the elbow reached, 
And fastened by a band ; 
And gloves with frills six inches deep, 
Adorned each pretty hand. 
The waist, three-quarters of a yard, 
Was trimm'd with ribbon o'er, 
"With point and tassel hung behind, 
And buttons up before. 

*' Spangled kid shoes, with peaked toes, 
Adorned her little foot ; 
With heels full out three inches high, 
And made of cork to boot. 
Her 'kerchief, made of cambric good, 
"Was always large and ample, 
Without embroidery or lace, 
Girls, follow her example. 

" Her bonnet I — but my weary muse, 
Her feeble wing must drop; 
If you would see its like again, 
Go view an old gig top. 
And when Aunt Hetty went to church, 
In corks, calash and all. 
She walked in seven feet dignity, 
Oh me ! but wan't she tall.'' 



And there she steps with the precision of a soldier, 
yet with the grace of a Jady of the old school, of polished 
manners and prompt frankness — yet withal, ceremo- 
nious. At the ^rst stir of warlike preparations, when told 
by the stronger sex, that we must prepare for hostile con- 
tingencies — ihe pronounced lierself ''ready." And 
tlirough the stirring incidents which took place in the 
colony, in which Mr. Waring and many other dear rela- 
tives and fri.^nds had no small part, his two ladies never 
quailed : but went cheerfully on, adapting themselves 
happily to circumstances as they arose in their pathway. 

The wa? was at an end ; twenty years had rolled 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 109 

smoothly away ; other female inmates were added to 
their peaceful home, where all seemed cheerful and 
happy, joyous and good, easily and pleasantly — husi- 
ness was accomplished — each member conlributinfr their 
portion to the happiness of the family. Leisure was a 
luxur\' with which the sisterhood was richly endowed — 
yet alas I such is my zeal for the truth, that you must 
be informed of the dark cloud that swept across the 
sunshiny horizon of that hitherto happy home ; no longer 
were light hearts bounding upwards in full gratitude, 
when assembled for the daily morning prayer — all, and 
each crest-fallen ! There had come an old man, courte- 
ous and patronizing, yet quite too pompous to please all. 
Assuming an air of superiority, he desired to take the 
hel})less houseliold under his especial care and direction; 
all this was expressed in his most bland and flattering 
manner. His visits grew frequent, and it was soon ob- 
served by the disconcerted bevy, that ambitious schemes 
were floating in the brain of Aunt Hetty. That by her, 
many an anxious glance was sent up the north avenue, 
or along the road towards Chanler's Bridge. She had 
discovered that business, active life, and not leisure, was 
the element in which she would most luxuriate. Soon 
was to be seen all the wedding parap'iernalia spread 
around the hall, or in the "company chamber," as the 
"big room" was called. Relying on his superior 
knowledge and experience, she accepted of the old man, 
and found him but a feeble stafT. What an extraordi- 
nary delusion, that, as the fifth wife of Col. Matthias 
Hutchinson, she could increase her happiness ; that the 
homel}' Traveler's Rest could have more powerful at- 
tractions than beautiful 'I'ranqiiil Flill — asserted ever, 
without fear of contradition, to have been the most 
charming inland place, (with its numerous shady walks, 



110 OUR forefathers; 

its !iieandering creek, stylish gate and bridge,) within 
the lower part of the State. And one for which she had 
assisted in selecting a more euphonic appellation than 
*' White Hail." Her own name she changed in 1802. 
Her last Will and Testament bears date 7th of April, 
1808; wherein mention is made of her beloved brother, 
Pierre Robert, of St. Stephen's Parish, (on a plantation 
south of Spring Grove, the liome of the Peyre family, 
he had an own aunt of that name.) They were the 
great-grandchildren of the first Pastor and Rector of St. 
James', Santee, the Rev. M. Pierre Robert, a native of 
Switzerland. Dr. Josiah T. Robert, Pastor of the first 
Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, informed Mr. 
Thomas Gaillard, a native South Carolinian, (now of 
Alabama,) that his ancestor, Pierre Robert, was a minister 
at Santee, and in the records of the Huger family can 
be found the following statement : '' On Thursday, 
August 17th, 1704, Pierre Robert, Minister of the Holy 
Gospel at St. James', Santee, married Margaret Iluger 
to Elias Horry." And " January 25th, 1710, Daniel 
lluger was married to Elizabeth Gendron, by M. Pierre 
Robert, Minister of the Holy Gospel at Santee." He is 
said to have been the first person in the settlement 
who owned a horse, which was imported for his special 
use, to enable him to attend relig'ous meetings, held 
oftentimes at remote distances from his home. He died 
in 1717, which was five years after the arrival of his 
successor, to whom he had resigned in 1715, as he had 
become superannuated. The Rev. Claude Philippe 
de Richebourg had come out with those who settled on 
the James River in Virginia, where they built the Mani- 
kin town : from thence they removed to French River, 
North Carolina. Lawson tells us that it was in 1708, 
and that their minister Richebouro^, went with them. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 1 I 1 

There lliey introduced llie Scuppernong grape, for an 
attempt at n)aking wine. At the close of 1711, a de- 
structive Indian war commenced in tliat vicinity ; a j)lot 
to exterminate the wliite population had been matured 
by the Corees and Tuscaroras ; many were massacred 
before the troops from South Carolina couhi arrive to 
protect the inhabitants ; settlements on the Neuse and 
Trent were abandoned. From the hit'er, came Riche- 
bourg with liis family, in 1712, under circumstances of 
great destitution, and was elected to the churcli on ac- 
count of the great age of M. Robert; his Will is dated 
15lh of January, 1719, and it is probable he died that 
year. In 17"-i0, the Rev. Albert Pouderous commenced, 
agreeably to the rites of tlie Church of England He 
was a French clergyman sent by the Bishop of London ; 
and then, says Dr. Humphrey, " tlie Huguenots aposta- 
tized from their ancient faith." Capt. Philip Gendron, 
one of the best supporters of the Huguenot clmrch, died 
in 1725; and his large family intermarried with the 
English. In some instances, those who were united to 
French gentlemen also became Episcopalians. But 
within the last twenty years, some of their descendants 
have beautifully rebuilt tlie Huguenot Church at the 
corner of Glueen and Church streets, and have regular 
services, after the form of their " Forefathers," except- 
ing that they are held in the English language. Mrs. 
Hutchinson also made mention of her Aunt Mary and 
cousin, Miss Lyncli Robert, with others. 

Dr. Thomas Joudon, of Robertville, wiien of great 
age, was wont to tell that, in his youth, tie old of the 
family used to talk about the ministerial la' ors of Pierre 
Robert. Mrs. Patience Tanner, in 1849, t-ien seventy- 
five, residing at Cheneyville, Louisiana, i iformed Mr. 
Gaillard, that a family register was prese/ved by her 



112 



brother, Grimball Robert, from which she learnt, that 
her great-great-grandfather, Pierre Robert, had been the 
first Calvinisiic minister who preached the Gospel in 
the province of South Carolina, and that he and his con- 
gregation settled at or near James Town, St. James, 
Santee, in Craven County. 

In the list of refugees, we see that Pierre Robert, 
minister from St. Etienne de St. Geoirs, in Dauphine, 
was the son of Daniel and Marie Robert, of St. Imier, 
in Suisse; his wife was Jeanne, the daughter of Jean 
and Susanne Bayer, of Basle en Suisse. Pierre, the son 
of Pierre and Jeanne Robert, naiif en Basle en Suisse, 
died 1717. The Santee Church seems to have been 
founded prior to that in Charles Town, and nearly con- 
temporaneously with the Revocation of the Edict of 
Nantz. It was not until 1721, that an Act was passed 
'' for erecting the settlement at Winyah into a district 
parish." Through the zeal and liberal contribution of 
Governor Nicholson, an Episcopal church was first or- 
ganized. Without the patronage of the government, 
and unaided by missionary societies, the refugees con- 
tinued to be the true and only heralds of the Cross for 
half a century, from the foundation of the English colo- 
ny to that part of the province. And yet it has come to he 
asserted by one ever steadfast in the faith, that "among 
the male descendants of the Huguenots on Santee, 
scarcely a vestige of vital religion could be found in the 
third generation." The Lords Proprietors, who had at 
all times regarded the refugees with favor, extending to 
them thei-r oatronage and protection, made a grant on 
the loth of September, 1705: gratuitously ceded to 
those on Saniee an unappropriated tract of three hundred 
and sixty ac es of land, having a front on the southern 
bank o[ the river of eleven hundred and fifty yards, ex- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 1 1 55 

tending back fifteen hundred and eighty yards, for a 
town or })lantation in common as they chose. In Janu- 
ary, 1700, lliey appropriated one hundred and forty-five 
acres, contiguous to the river, for a town. The survey 
was made by Bartholomew Gaillard, and the lots sold. 
Along the margin of the river, ten acres were reserved 
for a common. Seven streets were laid off parallel witli 
the eastern and western boundaries of the tract, inter- 
sected by four at right angles. At a central point of the 
common, and on the bank of the river, a lot of suitable 
dimensions was appropriated for a church and cemetery. 
Thirty-six lots, varying in extent, were comprised with- 
in the limits of the town. Jean Guibal, Rene Ravenel, 
Barlhelemi Gaillard, Henry Bruneau and Pierre Robert, 
Jr., (son of the minister,) were the commissioners ap- 
pointed to sell, and execute the deeds of conveyance to 
the several purchasers. "An original deed shows, tliat 
Rene Ravenel bought, on the 4th of July, 1706, Lot No. 
5, containing an acre, for the sum of forty shillings; at- 
tested by Charles Ducros de la Prastie and Philip Gen- 
dron." Oihers, who bouo-ht at first, were Antoinette 
Bfjeau, Paul Bruneau, Peter Cadeau, Moses Carion, 
Alexander Chattaigner, Peter Conillandeau, Isaac Du- 
bose, Jedion Foucherau, Bartholomew Gaillard, John 
Gaillard, Peter Gaillard, Philip Gendron, John Guibal, 
Nicholas Le Nud, Du Cross de la Prastie, Andrew Ram- 
bert, Pierre Robert, James Seron, Estienne Thibout. 

Such was the origin of tlie town on the San tee River. 
The site is about a mile and a half below the ferry, for- 
merly known as Skrine's, now Le Nud's, and about four- 
teen miles above the juncture of Wambaw Creek, wiili 
the southern branch of the river. How long it retained 
its inhabitants is not known. There is on record a 
deed, bearing date 22d of May, 1738, by which George 

8 



114 

Chicken became bound to convey to Noah Serre certain 
lots in James Town, which he had purchased, in 1732, 
from James Robert (grandson of tlic minister) ; from 
which we may infer there were residents at that date. 
It proved sickly, and no doubt became a cultivated field 
by the middle of the century, and afterwards formed a 
part of the plantation of Col. Samuel J. Palmer. The 
Huguenot settlement was called "James' Townsliip," 
anterior to the grant from tlie Proprietors, in 1705; there- 
fore, previous to the actual location of a town. The 
name is supposed to have been adopted in honor of 
James II., of England, who reigned from 1085, on the 
death of Charles II., to 1088, the accession of William III. 
This seems to indicate the foundation of tiie colony to 
have been Jaid at an intervening period between tiiose 
years. James II. was too great an enemy to the Hugue- 
nots, for them to liave given any such testimonial of re- 
gard for his memory after his expulsion from the throne. 
Ten years after the foundation of the town, tlie two hun- 
dred and nineteen acres remaining were sold to John 
Gaillard, on the 6tli of February, 1710. B. Gaillard, 
Pierre Robert, Jr., and Elias Horry, were authorized to 
sell; they did so, for ninety pounds, currency. The 
deed was attested by the Rev. Claude Piiiiippe de 
RicheboLirg and J. Rembert. The land Avas lield by 
them as common property, and was sold to relieve the 
urgent necessities of the parish at a period of general 
calamity throughout the province. The southern and 
western districts had been recently invaded by the In- 
dians; many of the inhabitants were massacred, and the 
survivors driven into Charles Town. Ever}' tribe, from 
Florida to Cape Fear River, had joined in a confederacy 
to exterminate tlie white population. 
Although the Huguenots on the Sanlee River may be 



TIIKIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 115 

said to have formed the nortliern frontier sctilemcnt of 
the province, yet having conciliated, by their kindness, 
the tribes in tlieir neighborliood, they seem not to have 
been molested, But were prosperous and happy, living 
among themselves as kindred. 

In *' Carolina in the Olden Time," we read of the 
union of Thomas Dixon, of James Island, and Elizabeth, 
the daughter of the second Landgrave, Thomas Smith, 
of Goose Creek, in 1745. A will lying before us runs 
thus: "In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Dixon, 
of James' Island, in St. Andrew's Parish, being sick in 
body, but sound in mind and memor}^, thanks to God for 
it, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to 
Die, I do, therefore, make and ordain this to be my last 
Will and Testament. I give and bequeath unto my Loving 
wife, Emelie, one negro woman, named Amey. To my 
daughter, Elizabeth, (by my first wife,) the girl, Betty. 
To my other children, Rebecca, Mary, Thomas, John, 
Harriet and Emelie Dixon, each a little negro. To 
Thomas, my silver Watch ; to John, (the first by the 
second marriage,) my silver-headed Sword. 'I'o my 
widow, the use of either of my plantations, for the use 
of herself and all my Children ; but whenever she marries 
or dies, my executors do equally divide it between all 
my Children. To my wife, the sum of five Iiundred 
pounds, currency; it being in Compensation or lieu of 
her third and dower. I Desire my House and Lott, in 
Charles Town, to be sold, and any part of my property, 
for the payment of my Lawful debts. All money to be 
equally divided into seven parts between all my chil- 
dren ; the girls to have theirs at eighteen or the day of 
marriage, the boys at the age of twenty-one. There 
must be taken out of my estate the sum of one thousand 
pounds, currency, for the maintaining and Educating my 



116 OUR forefathers; 

sons, Thomas and John. It is also my will and desire, 
that my executors do Run off half of an acre of Land, 
where the Burying-place now is, on my plantation on 
James' Island, which I give for the use of a Burying- 
place for my Family forever. I give my Loving Wife, 
Emelie, my Riding-Chair, and the choice of any one of 
my Horses as she thinks proper. And Lastly, I do here 
nominate and appoint my Brother-in-Law, Henry Smith, 
Esq., of Goose Creek, and my Kinsman, Thomis Scrivin, 
of James' Island, to be executors of this, my Will and 
Testament. In Witness whereof, I, the said Thomas 
Dixon^ liave set my Hand and seal, this Nineteenth day 
of March, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand seven 
hundred and sixty-nine. Sealed and delivered in the 
presence of W^illiam Hfjlmes, William Royall and Janet 
Royall." '' Secretary's office. A true Copy taken from 
the Original, and Examined by Daniel Mazyck." His 
un'fe, Elizabeth, died on the 2Gih of September, 1756, 
aged thirty-four, leaving three daughters and one son. 
He survived her thirteen years, and left a widow with 
her two daughters and one son — where are they now ? 
Echo answers, where? Mr. Dixon died on the 22d of 
March, (three days after the date of his will,) 1769, aged 
forty-nine. These dates are to be found upon a ring of 
black enamel, with amethyst stone, in the possession of 
Mr. Edward Bostick, of Robertville. 

Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
Dixon, was married to John Robert, grandson of the 
Rev. Pierre Robert, the Huguenot minister of Santee. 
Their daughter, Mary Harriett, was married to Mr. 
Richard Bostick, the grandfather of the gentleman, the 
fortunate possessor of The Ring. The family of Robert 
have given the name to a prosperous little place in St, 
Peter's Parish, Beaufort District, situated on the north 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 117 

side of Black Swamp, twenty-three miles below the 
Barnwell line. It has churches and excellent society. 
Mr. Dixon and Mr. James Screven, (who married Mary, 
the sibier of Elizabeth Smith,} were among the most 
liberal towards the erection of the second Baptist Church 
(now the Mariner's), in 1740, when the wrong-headed 
part of the congregation kept ih t' Jirsf. Mrs. Ann War- 
ing, who, from youth to age, was the true friend of Aunt 
Hetty, was only one year her senior. She was the great- 
grand-daughter of Captain Philip Gendron. In the 
genealogical record of tliat family, it is stated that Pierre 
Gendron, Lord of Hously, (La Manche,) married in 
1598, Orfraise, the daughter of Payet, the Lord of Haut 
Bergin. The children of David and Catharine Gendron, 
of Morans, in the Province of Aunis, fled in 16»5, from 
the persecutions in France; they were John, Catharine 
and Philip. John died in 1704. Catharine not men- 
tioned in any record of the time; but Philip, in his 
will, refers to her last testament. He died in 1725; 
had married, in this Province, Magdalene Chardon, the 
widow of Louis Pasquereau, from Jours, in Lorraine, 
France; by him she had four sons — Louis, Pierre, Isaac 
and Charles. The family of Pasquereau has become 
extinct in Carolina. By her intermarriage with Capt. 
Gendron, she had John, who was born 1690. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, the daughter of Isaac Mazyck and Mari- 
anne Le Serrurier; he died in 1754, aged sixty-four; his 
sisters were Mary Magdalene, the wife of Samuel Prio- 
leau ; Elizabeth was Mrs. Daniel Pluger; Charlotte 
Marianne, Mrs. Peter Porcher; Jane was Mrs. Paul 
Duxaint; and Henrietta Catharine was Mrs. Thomas 
Cordes, of St. John's Parish. John Gendron and Eliza- 
beth Mazyck were married in 171>^, he twenty-eight, she 
eighteen years of age; their son John was born 1719 — 



118 

his father then a most successful rice-planter. Elizabeth, 
the daughter of John, and sister of John, Junior, was dis- 
inherited for marrying Alcimus Gaillard. Catharine ; 
her sister, was Mrs. John Coming Ball, of Hyde Park, 
St. John's, Berkeley. She was a lady greatly distin- 
guislied for the virtues and accomplishments which form 
the chief ornament of private life. Catharine was born 
in 1723, and died in 1755, at the age of thirty-two — she 
had married in 1742. Their son, Elias Ball, was born 
in 1744; he was united to Catharine, the daughter of 
Theodore Gaillard and Eleanor Cordes ; she died in 
1821, in England, and he in the following year. Their 
daughter Elizabeth was born in 1746; she married 
Henry Smith, Esq., of Goose Creek, on the 13th of De- 
cember, 1764, having attained to her eighteenth year ; 
he a widower of thirty-seven. Her sister Catharine was 
born in 1751, on the 12th of July. She was the second 
wife of Benjamin, the brother of Henry Smith — he had 
a son, by his first marriage, with Elizabeth Ann Harles- 
ton — his name was Thomas. Catharine was married on 
the 8th of April, 1773, and died, with her infant, on 
Wednesday, the 23d of February, 1774, at ihe age of 
twenty-three ; Anne, her sister, was born on the 2d 
of June, 1753, New Style, of a Saturday, at nine o'clock 
in the morning; and, as you have beea informed, was 
married in 1771, at the age of eighteen, to Richard 
Waring, Esq., of White Hall, near Dorchester. He was 
a widower of twenty-two, with a little son, Richard. 

Mrs. Waring's grandfather, John Gendron, resided on 
the Santee, above Le Nud's Ferry; his plantation is 
now known as '* Ball's Dam," and is the property of his 
great-great-grandson. Dr. John S. Palmer, or of his 
family. He had commanded a company of Charles 
Town militia — the only military force ordered from the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 119 

capital against the Indians in the Yamassee war of 1715 ; 
he w^s ilien only twenty-five, when sent to the 
'•Indian Land," now Prince William's Parish; and he 
was in all the severe actions fought against them, until 
a peace took place. At the time of his death, he was 
the oldest Colonel of militia in the Province, and was 
generally called Brigadier Gendron. He was born in 
1(390, and died in 1754, aged sixty-four. His third 
daughter was Marianne; she married Mr. John Palmer, 
whose successful enterprise in the collection of naval 
stores procured him the distinguishing appellation of 
Turpentine John. Mrs. Waring took great pride in her 
first-cousin. Captain John Palmer, of Richmond, who 
married Miss Anne Cuhusac, and subsequently became 
one of the founders of Pineville, in St. Stephen's Parish. 
His brother Thomas, of Gravel Hill, married Elizabeth 
Richbourgh; after her death, Amelia, and finally her 
sister, Harriet Jerman. Those were prosperous times, 
when the facilities for accumulating property were so 
great, that men did not, (as now,) dread large families 
around them ; or perhaps such was the cruelty of the 
climate, that few females could exist beyond the meri- 
dian of life, before the discovery of the Pine Land, as a 
blessed asylum from chill and fever — tliose terrible draw- 
backs to the enjoyment of happiness or comfort. In 
those retreats people are safe, and life becomes a bless- 
ing. 

And now, liaving traced tlie Ladies' genealogy back to 
Lords and Ministers, we shall proceed to give an instance 
of their heroism. During the Revolution, whilst Mr. 
Waring would be with the army, these lone femalt^s, 
living between two public roads, were frequently sub- 
jected to annoyances; yet the suavity of the wife's man- 
ners, and polite attention to the officers in command, 



120 OUR forefathers; 

together with the maiden's playful raillery, had brought 
them off safely on all occasions. One evening, as Mr. 
Waring, on a short visit from the fort, sat reading aloud 
to them, the tramp of many horses struck upon their 
ears, and in a moment the house was surrounded by 
twenty troopers ; they had been apprised of his absence 
from Dorchester, and their object was to make him their 
prisoner. As they rushed into the spacious hall, brand- 
ishing their broadswords, the lights were simultaneously 
extinguished by our courageous heroines, whilst they 
continued to talk aloud, and scold the intruders, so as to 
cover Mr. Waring's flight. He escaped from their 
midst, and fled to the habitation of his faithful man, 
Sampson, where he lay hid away for several hours, 
whilst the strictest search was carried on, first in his own 
house, where the soldiers had struck a light, and followed 
at every step by the fair champions, threatening to re- 
port them at liead-quarters the next day. Finally the 
men entered the house of Sabina, wife of tlie strong man. 
She had kept her post at the door to give notice of their 
approach to her beloved master; imploring him to be 
still, as he was ensconced in the most remote and darkest 
corner of their loft, covered with loose straw. She raised 
her stentorian voice, and put very little guard upon her 
tongue— the first, to prevent their hearing any rustling 
above ; and the latter, to protest that they had been mis- 
taken. " Master had not been at home, or else she would 
have been called in to share the family's joy, as she did 
all their sorrows." At length they departed, and the 
husband's anguished mind set at rest, by finding the 
loved ones safe. Poor young man, he was soon cut off; 
his health had been long declining, and he now sunk 
rapidly under fatigue and anxiety. His country's 
troubles lay heavy at his heart ; no longer able to strug- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 121 

gle on, in the battle field, with fierce competitors, lie 
withdrew to his rural home, to await the mandate from 
Him, " in whose hands are the issues of life and death." 
And soon the summons came. And now, having portrayed 
his character as faithfully as we could, and having, as 
the children say, "gone all round Robin Hood's barn," 
we ask you to return with us to Dorchester. 

We have read an Act that was passed in 1754, for 
declaring that McCollum's and Wanng's Bridges, in the 
Parish of St. George, to be parish bridges, and to be 
kept in repair. Many of the latter name resided in the 
neighborhood ; all of whom, for years, were devoted to 
the Church, until Dr. Richard, of Clay Hill, apostatized. 
And they were all true Whigs through the Revolutionary 
struggle. Who has ever heard of a Tory Waring? In 
1750, at the nomination of Commissioners for the Free 
School in Dorchester, we find the names of Benjamin, 
Richard, of Pine Hill, and Joseph Waring, of Clayfield. 
These gentlemen had their children educated there. 
An old cash and receipt-book of Richard Walter, kept 
in tliat town from 1760 to 1771, shows that it was at that 
period of time, quite a business-place. The Estate of 
Thomas Waring, in 17()7, four years previously to his 
son Richard's second marriage, owed some money. The 
same again in 1708, debtor £10. In 1769, we see the 
estate of his brother, Benjamin, of the Cypress, owing 
£40; and Mrs. Sarah, his widow, in debt £9. She was 
the step-mother of Ben, of Columbia, as all told in a 
previous letter. Rigdon Smith, debtor £14. In May, 
the estate of Mrs. Sarah Waring, owes £18— and her 
step-son, £186. This goes to prove that the couple 
died in the space of a few months. Offspring Pearce, 
the good minister, owed £88 ; Anne Hodge, £44 ; Samuel 
Bell, £48 ; Christopher Hill and Samuel Porcher, each 

9 



122 OUR FOREFATHERS J 

£5; James Mahonejr, £30; Archibald McNeill, £216; 
Edward Perry, £30 ; Vestry of Si. George, £60; Church 
Wardens, £7; Peter Paul, £9; Free Sam, £7; TifLVh a me | 
Brad well, £100; Thomas Cooper, £8; xMrs. Mary Glaze, 
£JCO; William Haggett, £100; John Way, £9; Church 
Wardens, £6; Moses Bennet, £36; John Frazer, £88; 
Fredrick Siemon, £20; Mrs. Mary Geiger, £.56 ; John 
Tonge, (the St. Paul's Parish minister,) £106; John 
Walter, Jr., £73; estate of Isaac Brad well, £44 ; Samuel 
Hamlin BradwelJ, £10; John Skene, £20; estate of 
Edward Millar, £7; Charles Williams, Edward Greene 
and others — all gone. Other names of 1767, are Mathew 
Hardy, Edward Green, Pticliard Sallus, John Murray, 
William Steed, George Pooser, William Sanders, John 
Skine, Isaac Droze, George Muckinfus, Robert Way, 
Jasper Morgantallor, Lawrence Matthews, William 
Avery, Thomas Lewis, William Steed, Jr., Francis 
Postell, Robert Gambell. In 1768, William Maine, 
David Strain, Moses and John Cree, Eliza Porter, John 
Edwards, Catharine Day, Anne Hodge, Stephen Cater, 
Francis Beattey, Richard Downes, Jr., Dorcas Harvey, 
£300; Archar Smiili, Daniel Stewart, Henry Boyd, 
Andrew Hall, John Joor, Sr., Thomas Bulline, Mary 
White, Hugh Droze, HiKjh Dowser Jeremiah Chancery, 
Rebecca Stewart, John Hume, Elizabeth, Frederick, 
Francis Rose, estate of Thomas Graves, Abraham 
Rumph, Barnaby Branford, Mary Haskins, David 
Rumph, George Porter, Elizabeth Postell. 1769, 

Patrick Hues, James Postell, Jr., Mathew Smallwood, 
Henry Pooser, James Jubb, Jacob Minus, Hannah ^ 
Stewart, Joseph Steed, James Clatworthy, John Joor, Jr , u^ 
estate of Barnaby Branford, Jr., Rev. John Stephens, 
James Postell, Sr., Matthias Rast, estate of John Cattell, 
John Brotherer, estate of William Joor, John Tonge, 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 1 2lJ 

Elizabeth Haskins, James Spender, John Girardeau, 
Oihnie! Beal, William Devvit, John Edwards, George 
Ford, William McLaughlin, James Clatworthy, estate 
of Benjamin Perry, estate of Peter Paul, Free Sam, 
Abraham Ikler, Nathaniel Bradwell. 1770, Jacob 

Ladson, Thomas Cooper, William Haggati, Jehue Way; 
all, more, or less, indebted to Dawson and Walter. 
We turn the pages, and find received of Dawson and 
Walter, 12th August, 1768, £200 currency, in full, for 
rice sold to them by Nathaniel Bradwell. The same, 
for the same, by Richard Saltus; £37 for rice, by 
Richard Bohn Baker, £110 in part of rice of the estate 
B. Branford, £112 to Elijah Postell, £200 to John Cat- 
tell. 1709, £720 to Elijah Postell for rice, £GS to 
David Rumph, £320 to William Sanders, £200 on 
account of estate of Mr. John Cattell, and his son Peter, 
by Daniel Donovant, £200 to John Brotherer for rice, 
£870 to James Sanders for the same, £61 to Patrick 
Waldien for rice. '' Received [of Messrs. Dawson and 
Walter, for a year's rent of my rice-stores, £60. A. 
Wheill." For'the estate of Cattell, £300, £520 for the 
same, £800 to Mary Glaze for rice, £200 more. Received 
in 1770, of the firm, £400 for rice. George Porter. Of 
the same, for one year's rent of rice-stores, £60. Archi- 
bald McNeill, £250 to James Postell, £330 to George 
Ford, £400 for rice sold them for William Logan, 
branded H. D., by Isaac Droze, £70 paid J. Smith, £94 
to Jacob Minus, £100 to John Brotherer, £90 to George 
Daws, £24 to Thomas Baker, £721 to Mrs. Catharine 
Cattell for sixty barrels of rice, and so on to the end of 
the chapter; proving the prosperity of the town and 
country, previous to the War — for there were many 
other line stores tliat bought and sold — such as those of 
Theodore Siark, and Benjamin Singleton. We will 



124 OUR forefathers; 

retrograde to say, that ^' at a meeting of the Vestry and 
Church Wardens on Easter Monday, April 20th, 1778, 
was present, the Rev. Mr. Pearce, Benjan:iin Waring, 
of the Cypress, Richard, of Tranquil Hill, .Tohn Glaze, of 
the Ponds, Richard Walter, of Dorchester, with Morton 
Waring and William Morgan, Church Wardens." See 
how largely these Warings loom upon my pages as good 
Churchmen. 

In 1790, the rebuilding of the Congregational Church, 
or meeting-house, (on the same foundation, and a part 
of the walls remaining in perfect strength,) began to be 
agitated and subscriptions taken. Those who contribu- 
ted to the noble work were of various denominations, 
and many residing at a distance. In 1794, we see that 
money was received from the following persons: — Mat- 
thias Hutchinson, John Lines, Thomas Smith, (then liv- 
ing at Anneville, the home of his sister Anne, Mrs. John 
Smith Waring,) James Pendarvis, Mary E. Droze, Wil- 
liam Eckells, Thomas Gelzer, Dr. Richard Waring 
Lewis Poppenheim, William Maull, Joseph Edmonson, 
Frederick Daser, Robert Baldwin, Thomas Edmonson, 
Henry Markly, Samuel Prior, Theophilus Joyner, Sam- 
uel Perry, James Coburn, William De.viti, Samuel R. 
Smart, Nathan Joyner, Mrs. Young, (the mother of Mrs. 
Mazyck, Smith and Thomson,) Adam F. Gitsinger, 
Archar Smith, (of Goose Creek, brother of Edith, the 
wife of Thomas Smith,) Mrs. Mary Walter, Isaac Wal- 
ter, William Flack, (their son-in-law,) Henry Phillips, 
George Parker, (the parent of Dr. John Waring Parker, 
of Columbia,) Dr. Isaac Chanler, Savage Smith, (father 
of Mr. Thomas P. and Mrs. James Edmunds Smith,) 
Edward Darrell, John Eckells, Dr. Peter Horlbeck, 
Williams. Stevens, Peter Horlbeck, Sr., William Wragg, 
Miss Molly White, (with whom some of the school 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 125 

children boarded,) Gideon Browning, Mary !Minos, John 
Coon, James Rousan Steward, Daniel Listen, Timothy 
Ford, of Charleston, William Henry DeSaussure, and 
Isaac Holmes, of the same city, Joseph McNar, Richard 
Scott, (he liad bought on Beecli Hill the previous year, 
now owned by Elias Ball, his only son,) Mr. Thatcher, 
Wilson Anderson, Nat Brad well, Margaret Stock, (the 
daughter of Mrs. Young,) Philip Giveham, John and 
James Lynes, Mr. Sims, Mrs. Susanna Postell, Hugh 
Droze, Mary Tustin, John Singleton, John Ferguson, 
(the store-keeper, at Bacon's Bridge.) 

In 1700, (the century after its first building,) we find 
the names of Misses Elizabeth and Polly Ann Smith, 
each giving five pounds towards the completion of the 
church; also, that payment was made of eighty-seven 
pounds to the estate of John Coming Ball, for carpen- 
ters employed on the same, (received by his sister Jane's 
husband, Mr. John Ball, fot their sons, his heirs.) Mr. 
Coburn was paid for timber furnished by him, (he mar- 
ried Miss Pendarvis, of Beech Hill.) A sum of money 
was received from Edward Vanvelsin, (who also kept a 
store at Bacon's Bridge.) Money, too, from Colback, 
(the patron of Mr. Thomas Smith's schooner, Edith.) 

A letter from Dr. Richard Waring, usually called 
" the exquisite bachelor," of Clay Hill, to Mr Thomas 
Smith, (the deaf gentleman,) telling him that " John 
Carr has a mind that burns with earnest desires for the 
interest of the church, which he hopes may kindle in 
their cold hearts some flaming eflx)rts for the completion 
of the work." 

In 1802, they pay to Mr. David Crugar, and John 
Cart, of Charleston, a sum for pine boards, lime, &c. 
The same year we are told of payments to Elizabeth 
Pravaux, (the mother of Miss Caroline Perry, and of 



126 OUR forefathers; 

Mary Pravaiix, the late Mrs. Francis Rolando, mother 
of Lieut. Henry Rolando, of the Xavy also to Mr. M. 
Hutchinson and Christopher Brown, for work they had 
done on the parsonage in Dorchester; and of a subscrip- 
tion list sent out for repairing the same, so that Mr. 
James Adams, of York District, should continue to oc- 
cupy it. His tirst wife had been Elizabeth Ann Smith ; 
her own aunt, Mrs. J. S. W. Waring, promptl}- headed the 
list with S30, followed by Col. Isaac Walter with 610; 
Mr. Wm. Stevens -$10; Mr. Josiah Smith 8*20: Samuel, 
his son, -$5 ; Archar Smith, (the lost wife's uncle. '^ gave 
$50; Peter, (the half-brother of Dr. Richard Waring,) 
gave 810; the Doctor's mother, Mary, (Mrs. John War- 
ing,) 810; M. Hutchinson $5; John Ferguson 810: Dea- 
con John Rose 6"20: John Carr, the Pedagogue, 810 worth 
of boards: Benjamin Smith 810, (he was the shadow in 
subsequent times:") a Lady 82. 

They began in 1793 to cart the bricks from the old 
parsonage of the Episcopal Church of Dorchester out to 
repair the meeting-house, for which Mr. Morton Waring 
was paid five pounds; paid Miss Molly White for board- 
ing: ^J^r. Minott. In 1794, John Ferguson and Thomas 
Waring, of Pine Hill, paid Mr. Minott for work done at 
the meeting-house ; also, paid Marcus, Daniel, Pompey 
and Bristol, negroes of Mr. Thomas Smith : Jack, the 
painter, and the Rev. Mr. Gilliiand for otliciating; paid 
Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary Tustin. for their bricklayers. 
In 1796, paid Dr. R. Waring for the Rev. Mr. John 
Cummens 85 ; to Messrs. William Mauli and Henry Phil- 
lips, also Mrs. Lushington, for services rendered in 
building. The following epistle was received by Mr. 
F. Smith : 

"April 14th 1794 Sir, eye am in formed that you are 
wanting abricklare to do the work at the Meting house 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 127 

and if you do eye will do it as Cheap as it can be done 
in the Cuniry either by Mesment or by the job like wise 
eye will be My Misrht lo words the Motingr house you 
will be kind enuf to Send Me ananser Remain yours 
Joseph Tuslin." 

This liberal offer secured him the work immediately; 
for he writes a second note: **June 13th, 1794. Mr. 
Smith, please to pay the bearer. Brister, eiofhteen an' 
fourpence, an' by so doino: you will much oblis:' your 
umble zerret, Joseph Tustin." Again: •' Received, 
30ih of June, 1794, of Mr. Smith. £o. on account of 
bricklayer's work done at the Independent Church, in 
St. George's Parish." Signed Joseph Tusiin, yet writ- 
ten by a belter English scholar. We find a fourth note 
thus: ''Sir — Please to pay Mr. John Singleton the sum 
of ten pounds, and his receipt shall be your full dis- 
charge for that sum. Yours, Mary Tustin." Only the 
signature was hers. Then follows: ''Received, 31st of 
July, 1794, of Mr. Smith, £3. in part of the above order 
for Mrs. Tustin. John Singleton.*' Again: "Received, 
31st July, 1794. of Mr. Smith, forty shillings, sterling, 
on account of work done to the church bv my husband. 
Mary Tustin." The receipt written for her: he then 
lay ill. The coming letter is without date, excepting 
*'6 o'clock. Thursday eve. Dear Sir — This moment 
departed this life Mr. Tustin, after a verv lingering ill- 
ness; it seems almost impossible to describe the distress 
of his wife ; she is very poorly indeed, and, as she says, 
without friends, and only begs of you, Mr. Smith, to 
favor her with a little money, in order to furnish mate- 
rial for his interment. I hope, sir, that should you find 
it convenient, you will extend 3-our aid and charity in 
ihe present instance, as from appearances, it would be 
very seasonable. Begging an excuse for this liberty, I 



128 OUR FOREFATHERS J 

remain, with all respect, your most ob't servant, Peter 
Horlbeck, Jr." He was the physician and son of Mr. 
Peter Horlbeck, of whom we have already freely writ- 
ten. In the spring of 1796, the church was finished, and 
the small cono;regation returned to their ancient but re- 
novated moorings, after an absence of forty-three years 
from the departure of the Rev. Mr. Osgood, in 1758. 
This was truly the centennial of their place of worship, 
just as it had at first been built in 1696. It had not 
been transformed into new and loftier proportions; it 
w^as simply repaired, the foundation and part of the 
walls having never been demolished. Mr. James Adams, 
of Yorkville, was established as their minister; he soon 
after intermarried with E. A. Smith, of Anneville. His 
second wife was a Miss McKewn, from the upper part 
of the State, with whom came her mother, an excellent 
old lady. Mr. and Mrs. Adams named their first daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth Ann, which greaily endeared her to the 
Smith family ; she is the widow of a Rev. Mr. Davis, of 
York. After they could no longer procure the services 
of a man of God, Mr. Smith, the deaf gentleman, read a 
sermon each Sunday morning in a deep, sepulchral tone, 
whilst Deacon John Rose, an accomplished old Cliris- 
tian man, led the sino;ing. He and Dr. Richard Waring 
assisted each other in extemporary prayer; and John 
Carr all the while turning up his eyes, and groaning 
aloud, to the no small amusement of the boys and girls, 
and the alarm of some of the wee ones. This intempe- 
rate and graceless fellow was also employed as sexton, 
so completely had he deceived them. His was at all 
times a school of misrule; the man being subject to 
strange vagaries and visions, which, at times, impelled 
him to rush from the scholars, run at full speed two miles 
to take shelter within the meeting-house, as he always 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 129 

left a window unfastened tlirougli which he could jump 
to escape from the demons by whom he was pursued on 
tliose memorable occasions. 

" Ah, gentle dames, it gars me greet, 
To think how mony counsels sweet, 
How mony lengthened sage advices, 
The husband frae the wife despises." 

His admirable lady, by no means of an imag-inative 
temperament, would fain have convinced him of the un- 
reasonableness of his fears, and the absurdity of liis 
flights; but no, for, dressed in a little brief authority, the 
silly fool was thoroughly despotic over his household, 
whilst his well-grown scholars of the nobler sex treated 
his commands with sovereign contempt. He had strung 
up the largest of the Episcopal church bells, taken from 
the ruined steeple, with which to arouse his sleepy pu- 
pils and unwilling boarders. They, finding his early 
hour not to their taste, cut the rope, bringing it with vio- 
lence to the earth, and frightfully cracking the valuable 
and loud-toned summoner so badly, that when that noble 
building, St. Paul's Church, RadclifTeborough, was erect- 
ed, by the munificence of individuals, and the two 
smaller bells of old Dorchester presented to its congre- 
gation, sad to tell, the largest was not deemed worth re- 
moving. Mrs. Carr was a lady in every sense of the 
word; she had a son and daughter, who, although re- 
moved beyond my ken, I flatter myself have taken hon- 
orable positions in society. 

We shall not continue to be surprised at that piece of 
faithful old masonry, the Dorchester Fort, when we 
think of the extreme durability of houses within this 
city ; the difficulty of taking down such can scarcely be 
surmounted. And the perforating of the wall of eighty 



130 OUR forefathers; 

years standing, to admit the new and lofty windows, and 
compassing the ancient massive tower, to build one far 
more loft}" and impressive, in tlie remodeling of the Uni- 
tarian Church in ISo'Z, shows us the superiority of build- 
ing in those early times, and the strength and quantity 
of the cement which held the bricks together. We will 
tell you, too, how, in after-times, the ruined church was 
desecrated by the negro boy of Mr. Charles B. Ladson, 
(after whom one of the South Carolina railroad stations 
is named ;) he lived just without the desolated town, 
and died unmarried, leaving his property to liis cousin, 
Eliza Ladson, Mrs. Daniel C. Webb. His blackamoor, 
in the case of a sudden shower of rain, or to escape the 
rays of the sun, would often drive his sheep for slielter 
under the half-remaining roof, 

" Where all the consecrated ground, 

Nave, chapel, choir and aisle, 
Throng'd by a bleating flock was found, 

Quite crowded was the pile; 
The holy vase with waves was filled 
From heaven's own sacred breast. 

And in the walnut chair, 
A stout black boy, with cord and crook. 
Kept watch with very sleepy look, 

Upon his fleecy care." 

Mr. Ladson's mother was a Miss Capers; she had 
taken, as a second husband, Deacon John Rose, who sang 
by note, painted in water-colors, and played upon tlie 
hand-organ — rare accomplishments in those times. 

We have had a long story and talked bravely up for 
the church, yet cannot be indifferent to the dear old meet- 
ing-house, which has stood upon that same spot for one 
hundred and sixty-four years. Not friendly are we to 
very strict exclusiveness, preferring that we should ex- 
ercise towards each other a spirit of compromise and 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. I'M 

comprehensive charity. A great deal of real sympa- 
thetic emotion is ever excited witliin us, by the recol- 
lection of wliat our Puritan ancestors endured, when 
tliey turned their backs on the scorn and ribaldry of 
the Cavalier, and came here to turn over a new leaf in a 
New World. The barks that bore our noble sires liither, 
brought spirits thirsting for freedom of conscience as 
well as of government, for they knew that Government 
without Religion was null. Having seen that the union 
of church and State was prejudicial to England, ihey 
made the disunion beneficial to America. And sha'l 
we not love our Hucruenot Forefathers ? They who bid 
adieu to the vine-clad hills of << la belle France," and 
smiled a welcome to the sunny lawns and orange 
groves of Carolina — in both these cases the spirit and 
the sacrifice was the same; and when the liour arrived 
that we should make opposition to " taxation without 
representation," from their ranks ushered forth many of 
our best defenders. From the holy Kirk of Scotland 
came some of our Forefathers: who dare impugn their 
motives or their faith ! No, truly, our hearts should not 
be enclosed in citadels of ice, so that we cannot love 
and respect Christians of all denominations, and ever 
hold the most friendly relations with them. But it is 
time for us to bid adieu to the irrevocable past, and 
tread forward on the eventful future ; since we must not 
grow so fond of the records of by-gone times as to 
neglect the duties of the present every-day life. On re- 
perusing the names of the early inhabitants of St. 
George's Parish, we find them almost entirely extinct ; 
evincing the awful rapidity with which time and fate 
sweep away the vestif^es of individuals and families 
into the deep of oblivion. A few of these names have 
obtained more or less distinction in the history of South 



132 



Carolina, but ''Old things have passed away," yes, such 
is the inevitable decree — why then should we lament? 
Such was the question asked by our late bland and be- 
nignant Dr. Samuel Oilman ; he who so well steered his 
bark through life, and now rests in the desired haven of 
happiness. 

Gentle reader, pardon your friend, if overpowered by 
the reminiscences of her youth, she lias outrun your 
patience, recalling to her mind the scenes and persons 
with which her childhood was familiar. She has carried 
you back retrospectively almost two hundred years, and 
now in pathetic strains bids you farewell ! " Oh that 
the mind could throw from it forever the burden of the 
past, why is it that voices and tones, and looks which 
have passed away come over us with a sadness and re- 
membrance which makes the heart die within us, and 
the eyes overflow with fruitless tears ? 

''Who shall explain the mysteries of the world within?" 

Now the deepening twilight warns me to lay down 

my pen; fast, fast it grows dark, for night's sable mantle 

IS closing around, hiding pen, ink and paper from the 

view of your 

Ancient Lady. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. lIJ3 



Charleston, February 20th, 18(i0. 



" Make friends of potent memory, 
Oh ! maidens, in thy bloom, 
And bind her to thine inmost hearts, 
Before the days of gloom; 
For sorrow softenelh into joy. 
Beneath her wand, sublime, 
And she immortal robes can weave, 
From the frail thread of Time. 
She opes her casket, and a cloud 
Of cheering perfume streams, 
'Till with a lifted heart we tread 
The pleasant land of dreams." 



L E T T E R y I I I . 

We desire to recall to the minds of our youthful 
friends, that there is an appropriate and useful position 
to be occupied in society by women, for which they 
should industriously seek to rjualify themselves, by men- 
tal culture, and the acquisition of every virtue, so that 
your benign influence shall be felt, and thankfully ac- 
knowledged by the sterner sex. We would have you 
ever to recollect that you possess neither inferiority nor 
superiority to men, but were made as ^' helps meet " 
for them, as suitable and natural companions, created in 
the image of God. With your golden opportunities, and 
the great facilities for education, afforded in tliese, your 
(lays, we ask you to prepare, by proper studies, for 



134 OUR forefathers; 

future usefulness through life. Remember that as mai- 
den, wife, or widow, you are likely to be placed at the 
head of an establishment, there to be as the sun, the 
centre of a domestic system, with your household as 
planets around, you, reflecting your genial rays, and 
basking in your benign influence. For that enviable 
destination cultivate tlie most amiable dispositions and 
cordial sympathies. Bear in mind continually that wo- 
men, being physically weaker than men, does not prove 
them mentally inferior to them, of which you are to 
convince them by your conversation and the correctness 
of your conduct in the station assigned you by Provi- 
dence. In the olden time, we were taught past history 
witli great solicitude, but on coming to years of reflec- 
tion, wiicn looking into a paper of foreign news, we 
were lost in a labyrinth of names of modern times, 
wholly unknown to us. 

We would, at this period of the world's existence, 
call your special attention to the history of your own 
vState, and to no one else are we so greatly indebted for 
their service to its literature, as to our patriotic and 
painstaking Professor William James Rivers, now of the 
South Carolina College, In 1853, he furnished us with 
liis *' Topics in the History of South Carolina," after 
reading which, you cannot fail to acknowledge his ex- 
traordinary talent for research. The condition in which 
he found many of the manuscript records in 1^49, was 
communicated to Governor Whitemarsh Seabrook, who 
appointed a gentleman of Columbia, to copy those 
which would soon have been lost to us through the 
effects of time. And as the records in our possession 
were meagre and deficient, it was recommended to the 
Legislature to send to London for information, as the 
Eno;lish knew more of us than we did of ourselves. 



THEIR IIOMKS AND THEIR CHURCHES. 1^5 

Our State re^maincd unoccupied by Europeans, from tlie 
abandonment of Charles' Fort by the French, till the 
settlement of the p]nglish in 1670. It then continued a 
British province for one hundred and six years. 

In liis ''Topics," Mr. Rivers felt it incumbent on 
him to refute the charge against the province of having 
" set one tribe of Indians against another, for the purpose 
of obtaining slaves," — "they needed no instigation." 
Pie goes on to affirm that " we would scarcely depart 
from the truth in saying that every leaf of the Indian 
liislory is stained with blood." He tells us that they 
have certain customs and traits of characier, which lead 
to habitual warfare ; tiiat Indian captives were sold to 
the West Indies could not be denied, yet their tribe had 
the right of ransoming them. We will now turn to Pro- 
fessor Rivers' " Sketch of the History of South Caro- 
lina," to the close of the Proprietary Government, by 
the Revolution of 1719, by which the Colonial Govern- 
ment was changed from the Lords Proprietors to the 
king, after a period of fifty years, counting from 1669, 
when the commission of Governor Sayle (July 26th) 
conferred upon him the executive power, restricted by 
the advice and consent of a majority of the council. 
He was instructed to build a fort, under the protection 
of which the first town should be placed. The expedi- 
tion is believed to have set sail and left England, in 
January, 1670, and reached Bermuda in February of 
the same year. The fleet sailed thence, and arrived at 
Port Royal, in Carolina, on the seventeenth day of 
March, St. Patrick's day. Governor Sayle immediately 
summoned the freemen ; they elected five persons to con- 
stitute the Grand Council, in conjunction with the Gov- 
ernor, wlio represented the palatine, (the Duke of Albe- 
marle — he was Governor George Monk, one of tlie 



136 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

restorers of Charles the Second to the throne, by his im- 
portant services, for which lie was created a Duke,) and 
with five other deputies, respectively of the Earl of Cra- 
ven, Lord Berkley, Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, 
and Sir Peter Colleton ; who, it seems, were at that time 
the proprietors residing in Enfjland. Port Royal was 
considered too exposed to the attacks of the Spaniards 
from St. Augustine, by sea and land, and tlie evident 
connection of the neighboring warlike Indian tribes 
with the Spanish interest. Nothing less than the secu- 
rity of the infant colony could have justified the aban- 
donment of the situation chosen by the proprietors. 
Sayle and his colonists were transported by the vessels 
to the harbor, called by the Spaniards, St. George's 
Bay. In April, 1(370, they disembarked on the first 
high land, and named it Albemarle Point, (at present a 
part of the plantation of William McKenzie Parker, 
Esq.) Here they entrenched themselves, and began to 
lay ofT streets and town lots, and to build a fortification 
and dwellinjx-houses ; and in the next year they called 
it "Charles Town." Scarcely had they entrenched 
themselves, when the jealous Spaniards sent from St. 
Augustine a party to attack them, although peace then 
subsisted between Spain and England. The vessels 
entered Stono Inlet, but finding the colonists stronger 
than they expected, hastily returned to their old town, 
built in 1665. The Governor was so reduced by sick- 
ness, in September, 1670, that he made a final disposition 
of his properly, bequeathing his *' mansion house and 
town lot in Albemarle Point," to his son Nathaniel. 
Within a few^ months afterward he died. No record or 
tradition informs us of the spot where repose the remains 
of the first Governor of South Carolina. Colonel Joseph 
West was fillinir the orubernatorial chair on the 10th of 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 137 

April, 1(*)71. The ship Blessing arrived in August 
with insiructions. The military companies were com- 
manded by Captains John Godfrey, and Thomas Gray, 
a niirht patrol was performed by all the inhabitants in 
town, the people well supplied with arms. By the law, 
the gunsmiths were bound promptly to refit all firearms 
that^'needed repair. It was not till May, 1672, that the 
fortification was finished, when Stephen Bull was "com- 
missioned Master of the Ordnance and Captain of the 
Fort in Charles Town." Captain Halsted brought 
letters to Governor Sayle, of whose death the proprietors 
liad not heard, dated in London, May 1st, 1671. They 
knew of the settlement made on the west of Ashley 
River, in the spring of 1670. 

Provision was made in October, 1671, for the accom- 
modation of future immigrants, by selecting sites for 
towns. Amongst the new-comers from New Yorlc, with 
Captain Halsted in December, was Mr. Michael Smith. 
He was directed to lay off a place on a creek south of 
Stono, to be named James Town. 

In 1665 Sir John Yeamans of Barbadoes was commis- 
sioned Governor of Clarendon county, the region about 
Cape Fear, North Carolina, in a southward direction, 
'' as far as the River St. Mathias, which bordereth upon 
the coast of Florida." He governed the colony WMth the 
care of a father. The settlers sent timber and staves to 
Barbadoes; industry and animation marked the conduct 
of all. When appointed Governor of Ashley River 
colony, many of these men followed him thither, to lands 
more fruitful and better adapted to raising cattle. At 
the meeting of the council, on the 14th December, 
1671, Yeamans, having: been made a landgrave, claimed 
to be vice-palaiine, consequently governor of the Pro- 
vince. But the council were so well pleased with the 

10 



138 



administration of Colonel West, that they '' resolved and 
advised that it is not safe or warrantable to remove the 
government at present, until further orders should be re- 
ceived." But he had been commissioned on the 21st of 
August in England. After five years at Clarendon, he 
returned to Barbadoes, and the same desire of riches 
that had guided him hitherto, led him thence to the 
Ashley River, soon after the arrival of Sayle. Here he 
obtained land, and engaged in the exportation of lumber 
and provisions to the British islands in the West Indies. 
He was the first who introduced negro slaves into Caro- 
lina, whom he brought from Barbadoes, in 1(571, to cul- 
tivate his plantation on Ashley River. Leaving Charles 
Town after the refusal of the council, he did not return 
until he had received his commission as Governor of 
Carolina, south and west of Cape Carteret. On the 
19lh of April, 1G72, he was proclaimed, and he elected 
a new parliament. It was resolved, for the better safety 
of the settlement, that the governor should live in town. 
Colonel West continued to hold offices of trust, and to 
exert all his powers for the advancement of the colony. 
It was then placed in a state of security against inva- 
sion. Cannon were mounted at " New Town, on Stono 
Creek," and a " great gun" was fired at Charles Town 
on the approach of any vessel. Six companies were 
enrolled under Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey. The fields 
were cultivated by white servants from Kngland, or 
Indian slaves purchased from their enemies. From the 
governor's want of care and economy, a debt of seve- 
ral thousand pounds was incurred before the end of 
1673. The proprietors were constrained to contrast the 
" care, fidelity and prudence" of Colonel West, with the 
ill management of Yeamans. They therefore revoked 
their commission to him, and created West a landgrave 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 



139 



and governor, in April, 1674. Sir John had previously 
retired, in feeble lieallh, to Barbadoes, where he died in 
August, possessed of considerable wealth. On the 13th 
January, 1072, Yeamans had Captain Godfrey, Captain 
Gray and Maurice Matthews to mark out places suitable 
for towns. It is probable that they reported in favor of 
the tongue of land called Oyster Point, which stretched 
between the Ashley and Cooper. It had been taken up 
previously by Captain John Coming and Mr. Henry 
Hughes, the latter of whom, on the 2 1st of the follow- 
ing month, appeared before council and voluntarily sur- 
rendered one-half of his land, to be employed in and 
towards enlarging of a town and common of pasture 
there intended to be erected. Captain Coming and 
AfTera his wife came likewise, and freely gave up one- 
half of their land, near the said place, for the use of the 
aforesaid. 

It was in June of that year that an Act was proposed 
for the uniform building of '' Charles Town." It was 
then regularly laid out and divided into sixty-two lots. 
Tliose who owned town-lots gave them up, and a re-dis- 
tribution was made to the inhabitants on the 22d of 
July. Thomas Smith, (the future landgrave and gover- 
nor,) received lot forty-one; his brother James Smith, 
had fifty-seven, which he sold to Thomas, when he re- 
moved to Massachusetts. A list of the other occupants 
of the town has been fully shown in *' Carolina of the 
Olden Time," three of vhom were Huguenots who had 
taken refuge in England, and came witli Sayle in 1070. 
They were Richard Batin, or Baton, James Jours, and 
Richard Deyos. 

Additional works of defense were afterward erected 
in 1074. At the same time tliat the new distribution of 
lots was made in Charles Town, Yeamans had issued 



140 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

his warrant to John Culpepper, surveyor-general, to 
naark off the contemplated town at Oyster Point, which 
was done on the spot now embraced between Broad and 
Water streets, and limited by Meeting street on the 
west. Several streets were marked running east and 
west, intersected by others from north to south. Tlie 
lots were slowly taken up, as emigrants preferred the 
more populous situation on the western bank of the 
Ashley. The proprietors designed to build their chief 
town on some highland on the Ashley or Cooper, if such 
could be found, free from the sickness of the coast and 
the sudden inroads of an enemy's ships. But they 
failed to find a more eligible situation than Oyster Point, 
to which the settlers at Charles Town began generally 
to remove in 1679. Others had fixed their abode tliere 
as early as 1672. Such representations were made to 
the Lords Proprietors as caused them to write to Gover- 
nor West and the council, on the 17th December, 1679, 
approving of the removal of the settlers, and that they 
then appointed Oyster Point for the port-town, but to be 
called Charles Town, and that the public offices should 
be removed thither, and the grand council summoned to 
meet there. In the spring of 1680 the removal was 
made, and during the same year our English forefathers 
erected thirty houses, in part from the materials of their 
former homes west of the Ashley. For a time it was 
called by some persons New Charles Town, to distin- 
guish it from the old town ; but from 1682 it was known 
for a period of one hundred years simply as Charles 
Town. It had capacious streets, which to buildings is 
a great ornament and beauty. In it they had reserved 
convenient places for building of a church, town-house, 
and other public structures, an artillery ground for the 
exercise of their militia, and wharves for the conve- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 141 

nience of their trade and shipping. The situation re- 
served for a church was that now occupied by St. Mi- 
chael's. The building first erected there (St. Philip), 
was of cypress, on a brick foundation, and was generally 
called the English Church. It was probably begun 
about 1(3^2, during the administration of Governor 
West, who was distinguished for piety, as well as jus- 
tice, valor, and moderation. He long held the most in- 
fluential position in the colony, and his removal may 
liave been simply to reward the adherence of Landgrave 
Joseph Morton, through whose encouragement, in con- 
nection with Landgrave Axtell, more than five hundred 
persons had arrived in Carolina in less than one month, 
chiefly Baptists. But the cause usually assigned is the 
displeasure of the proprietors at the selling of Indian 
slaves, purchased by the planters from neighboring 
tribes. No objection was made to keeping them as 
slaves in the province. It was not slavery, in any 
shape, that was displeasing to them. Their fundamen- 
tal constitutions embraced a provision for the introduc- 
tion of slavery, with unlimited power in the matter, 
before the first settlement in South Carolina. Their 
favorite, Sir John Yeamans, first brought hither African 
slaves, and English vessels long continued to offer them 
for sale to the American colonies, the money filling the 
coffers of the British or New England adventurers. 
The lords freely disseminated the promise that " every 
freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and 
authority over liis negro slaves." 

Have they grown tender-hearted, or to what motive 
shall w^e ascribe their present conduct towards us the 
slave-holding States? Do they act from a principle of 
benevolence towards the negro, or simply from opposi- 
tion to the white race? It has now become a positive 



142 OUR FOREFATHERS ', 

duly of self-preservation with your aged friend to avoid 
all excitement, yet she grows anary on this subject of 
slavery. With us it is an inheritance and necessity ; 
the sin of it, if it be a sin, was entailed on us by the 
sires of those who are now crushing everything to abo- 
lish it, and yet they open for them no asylum in their 
own domain, but pack them off to the uncongenial re- 
gion of Canada. At this most portentous period of our 
country's history, when all seems discouraging in the 
present and dismal in the future, lot us take a retro- 
spective glance at the past. Turn the pages of the " Stat- 
utes at large," and mark the long catalogue of owners 
indemnified for their men, who having rendered them- 
selves obnoxious to the offended laws of the land, had 
suffered capital punishment. Have the negroes become 
inherently better, or the masters more indulgent? IVlis- 
sionaries were sent from England, vv'ith orders to Chris- 
tianize both Indians and negroes before the close of the 
seventeenth century, and their efforts proved no more 
inefficient then than those of the preachers of our own 
day. Moral suasion does no more for the multitude now 
than it did in the days of our forefathers, excepting in 
isolated cases. Attempt to coerce them now, as then, 
and see to what results it would lead. How excessively 
lenient has the government of slaves become within the 
grasp of my memory, which compasses sixty years. 
How improved their condition, how unlimited their privi- 
leges. With us they can make or inherit property, and 
setting the law aside, do constantly purchase their free- 
dom, sell and buy, and enjoy their estates like the free 
white man. Shrewd beyond their betters, and far less 
conscientious, they exist in clover, whilst the aged and 
respectable widow or old maid, is cast as a homeless 
waif upon a burdened earth, unable to meet the ex- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 



143 



penses, and unfit to endure the turmoil of liotcls, wliilst 
slirinkinff from the petty tyranny of private boarding 
houses, they arc left to drift from family to family, en- 
during every annoyance and subjected to many indig- 
nities. And why may not the lonely lady l)ave a home 
of her own, a cottage, and a retreat from the world's 
rough usage? Simply because such are better paid for 
by the free negro and mulatto, or by refractory slaves 
turned out of the yards of wealthy citizens to "hire 
llieir time," ami prowl upon a hapless community. For 
a brief space there glimmered a faint hope of an asylum 
for such females, in the so-called "Church Home," but 
that gleam of light speedily faded into darkness, the in- 
stitution never carrying out the design for which it was 
supposed to have been organized. 

One word more of counsel, dear young friends, with 
the light of sixty years^ experience, and with feelings of 
irreconcilable hatred towards it, let us warn you against 
the fatal error of familiarity with servants or slaves of 
any hue. Now when those who should be brothers in 
afTection towards us, are going forth openly and un- 
blushingly to the task, sending secret emissaries in all 
the South to stir up revolt amongst the negroes, it is 
high lime that they be made again to understand their 
proper sphere, as in the days of our forefathers; and for 
us to recall to mind the distinctions they made, and the 
line they drew between the master and the man, the 
mistress and her hand-maid. But are we not overstep- 
ping our legitimate bounds, forgetful that the task of 
bringing order out of confusion, devolves, as a duty, 
on the powers that be. 

We will return to the early history of the Province, 
and show how Governor succeeded Governor. In Octo- 
ber, 1080, James Colleton, brother of the proprietor, who 



144 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

had been made a Landgrave the previous August, ar- 
rived from Barbadoes. In 1690, when things were verg- 
ing upon tumult and violence, Seth Sothell reached 
Charles Town. A proprietor by the purchase of Cla- 
rendon's share, he had the right to supersede Colleton ; 
he had been sent to regulate the distracted affairs of 
North Carolina, but such was his conduct at Albe- 
marle, that he was banished for twelve months, and 
souo-ht refuse in South Carolina. Soon some of his most 
active enemies, James Colleton, Thomas Smith and Ste- 
phen Bull, with Ralph Izard and John Farr, were placed 
on a committee to report his wrong doings. In Novem- 
ber, the proprietors commanded him to yield obedience 
to Colonel Philip Ludwell, of Virginia, who had married 
the widow of Sir William Berkley, and had been ap- 
pointed in 1089 to succeed him at Albemarle. It was 
the design of the proprietors, at this lime, to unite, if prac- 
ticable, the two governments. Ludwell, in his over 
anxiety to court popularity, in avoiding the whirlpool, 
was thrown against the rocks. Some of the readers of 
" Carolina in the Olden Time," have ungenerously com- 
plained of the tedious minuteness with which the writer 
dwelt upon the trivial, and to them insignificant circum- 
stances connected with the Smith family. Yet nothing 
daunted by their tirade^ and grateful for the light thrown 
on their affairs by recent historical research, in some 
cases setting aside doubtful traditions, we will go for- 
ward to inform you that " Thomas Smith, one of the 
earliest settlers, had married the widow of John D'Ar- 
sens, who held a grant of twelve thousand acres from 
the proprietors ; they wrote to the Governor on the 9th 
of December, 1689, to secure the same to her husband 
and sons — (she was the daughter of a German baron, 
Bernard Schencking, and was accompanied to America 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 115 

by her brother, who bore their father's name.) At tlie 
same time there was a grant of one hundred and forty 
acres to the Rev. Elias Prioleau, perhaps the farm near 
town, on wliich, you remember, he Jived and died." 
"Smith was otherwise possessed of extensive grants, 
and much other property. He had been a Deputy in 
Council, and Sheriff or Chief Justice of Berkley county, 
and was chosen to succeed Colleton in 1(390; but the 
arrival of Solhell caused his commission to be withheld. 
He was made Landgrave in 1691, with forty-eight thou- 
sand acres of land ; and in 1693 was appointed Governor 
and Commander-in-chief in Carolina.'' The deed crea- 
ting him a Landgrave continues to exist in the posses- 
sion of Thomas Henry Smith, at the family mansion at 
Goose Creek, it having been left by the second Thomas 
to his eldest son, Henry, the great-grandfather of this 
young gentleman, to whose grandfather Thomas, and 
father, George Henry, it rightfully descended. 

"On the appointment of Smith, much was expected 
from his character, experience, and intimate knowledge 
of colonial affairs. But lie lost courage at the popular 
ferment about the tenure of lands, payment of quit-rents, 
the naturalization of the Huguenots/' &c., &c. 

"At length the Governor, despairing of allaying the 
disturbances, Avrote to the proprietors in October, 1691, 
that he and others intended to abandon Carolina, and 
live in some other part of America, unless a proprietor 
was sent out to heal their grievances." Without wait- 
ing for their reply, he resigned, and Joseph Blake acted 
in his stead, until a new Governor should be commis- 
sioned. The letters of Smith and Sir Natlianiel John- 
son, in 1694, led to the election of young Lord Ashley, 
grandson of the Earl of Shaftesbury, to be sent out; but 
the aflairj of his father requiring his attention in Enta- 
il 



146 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

land, John Archdale, a pious and intelliq-ent Cluaker, 
was elected on the 18th of July, 1694. He had obtain- 
ed a proprietorship through Thomas Archdale, the pur- 
chaser of Lady Berkley's share, in May, 1681. It was 
not until the 17th day of August, 169")5 tliat he entered 
upon his government at Charles Town, with conciliatory 
expressions to all parties, and a patient inactivity in 
public affairs, spending months in privately '^ allaying 
the heats" of the people. Leaving many things un- 
done which required attention, he hastened from the 
colony in 1696, restoring the office of Governor to Joseph 
Blake, whose administration was peaceful ; to him his 
friend, Landgrave Smith, had left the care of his son 
George, until of age, and to whom he had given his 
"silver tobacco box," in his unique will, dated on the 
26th day of June, 1692, made according to the law of 
primogeniture, bestowing upon Thomas, the first-born, 
a more extended landed estate than he could take care 
of, with houses, negroes, with many et easterns ; while 
George had to be content with a profession, and receive 
" half of his father's instruments that belong to chirur- 
gery, half of his medicines, half of his books, one fether 
bed, two pair of sheetts, two blanketfs, one rugg, two pil- 
lows, and one bolster, alsoe my large brass mortar and 
pestle," with a few other scraps, as you may have read. 
The Honorable Proprietor Blake, died on the 7th of Sep- 
tember, 1700, six years after his friend Smith, who, in 
December, 1694, had resigned his office, to die. His 
had been an active, yet virtuous and well-spent life, 
which we know to be the best security for happiness 
hereafter. Of the Dissenting Church, he was a zealous 
and exemplary member, and he was taken from her 
midst in the full career of his usefulness. The follow- 
ing inscription is to be found upon his neglected tomb- 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 147 

Stone : '' Here lieth ye Body of ye Right Honourable 
Thomas Smith, Esq., one of ye Landgrave of Carolina, 
in ye forty-sixth year of his age." He was buried on 
his Back River plantation, (now the property of Mr. P. 
G. Stoney.) And he who went down to an early grave, 
a martyr to liis too great anxiety for the welfare of the 
colony, was also a benefactor by the introduction of 
rice, and doubtless, at a very early period of the settle- 
ment, since we read in unquestionable history, that in a 
bill of lading from London, in 1671, there was a barrel 
of rice mentioned, not said to be seed rice, yet most 
probably was, and may have been, brought by Smith, as 
he emigrated to the colony that year. We read like- 
wise of an Act of Assembly, September 26th, 1691, 
(twenty years after,) conferring a reward on Peter Jacob 
Guerard, inventor of a " Pendulum Engine " for " husk- 
ing" rice, which was superior to any machine pre- 
viously vsed in the colony. This bill of lading w^as for 
'' the good ship called the William and Ralph, whereof is 
master, under God, for that present voyage, William 
Jeffereys, and now riding at anchor in the River of 
Thames, and by God's grace bound for Charles Towne, 
in Ashley River, to say forty-two puncheons of pease, 
thirty barrels of flour, one ban-el of rice, iron ware, one 
box of boks, two barrels of gunpowder, &c., &c. To be 
delivered to Mr. Joseph West, all having been paid 
allready, and soe God send the good ship to her desired 
port in safety. Amen." 

Dated in London the 13lh January, 1671. 

We are told that cotton was exported from Carolina to 
the northern colonies, before 1693. It was, with indigo, 
one of tiie products to be tried on the Experimental 
Farm, by Col. West, under instructions of July, 1669. 

That first rice may liave been sent for the same pur- 



148 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

pose, and we read that as early as 1731, the province 
exported thirty-nine thousand barrels of it, and that 
above 1,500 negroes were imported into it. If that first 
barrel was seed rice, no doubt experiments were made 
beyond The Farm, testing the suitableness of different 
soils for its culture. Smith had come out with grants 
and much property, and we see that, as far back as 
1688, he obtained in his own name, a grant of six acres 
of land on White Point, extending around and about the 
site, (corner of East Bay and Longitude Lane,) on which, 
subsequently to his removal from Old Charles Town, he 
erected, of imported bricks, his mansion, yet to be seen, 
and where he may have planted a part of the rice, ten 
years before, as he was possessed very early of a lot in 
Oyster Point Town, laid out in 1672, simultaneous!}'- 
with Charles Town. His Back River house, built of 
home-made bricks, kept together by the strength and 
quantity of the cement, continues to be a comfortable 
residence for a respectable family, although believed to 
be the first, of brick, built in the province, beyond the 
precincts of the town. It is comprised of one story, and 
covered with a Dutch roof. 

Now, for the information of those not conversant with 
our little sketch of "Carolina in the Olden Time," we 
will recapitulate that Landgrave Smith's only children 
were Thomas and George — the former having lost his 
wn'fe, Sarah Blake, by whom he had three sons and seven 
daughters; intermarried with Mary Hyrne : by her he 
had seven sons and three daughters. The sons by the 
first union were Thomas, who was disinherited for mar- 
rying Dorothea, familiarly called "Dolly Dry;" George, 
whose wife was Jane Allien, and Joseph Blake, who died 
in infancy. The girls were Anne, who married Benja- 
min Waring, Esq. ; Barbary, wife of Colonel Edward 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHrUCHES. 149 

Hyrne. Sabina, first married to Thomas Smith, and 
afterwards to Mr. Peter Taylor ; Juslina, married James 
Moore, Esq. ; Sarah was Mrs. John Bowen. Two Re- 
becca Moores died in childhood. The girls by the se- 
cond nnion were Mary, Mrs. James Screven, Margaret, 
Mrs. Benjamin Coacliman, Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. 
Thomas Dixon. Their son Edward, the first child, was 
born on the 24ih of April, 1714; James, the 13th of Au- 
gust, 1715 After the sisters, in 1717, 1720, and 1722, 
followed Henry, on the 6th of August, 1727. He mar- 
ried Anne Filbein in 1753. and Elizabeth Ball, in 
1764. Thomas was united to Susana Walker ; his 
birth was in 1729 ; George, on the 30th of August, 1732 ; 
Benjamin was born on the 15th of September, 1735; he 
had four wives. 

Their father, Thomas, the second Landgrave, was 
born in 1670, died in 1738, aged sixty-eight. Their 
mother, Mary, attained the age of seventy-nine, and was 
appareled for the grave in 1776, having heard the De- 
claration of [ndependence read, and seen her sons and 
grandsons go forth to the defence of their country. She 
died on the 9th of November, 1776, between four and 
five in the afternoon. In concluding her will, she ap- 
pointed her beloved sons, Henry, Thoma.s, ?iX\(\ Benjamin 
Smith, her executors — the latter bore a strong resem- 
blance to his beautiful mother, Mary Hyrne, of ghost 
memory, so that Mrs. Latham knew him to be the son 
of the spectre visitant she had invited into her chamber. 
And now dear ladies, flattering myself that '' Family 
Tables" are not such utter abominations to you as to 
the more querulous sex, will even dare to extend that of 
Smith as connected with Screven. Come, then, read, 
mark and remeinberj that on the 20th of December, 1759, 
Benjamin Smith, at the age of twenty-four, was niarried 



150 OUR FOREFATHERS ; 

to Elizabeth Ann, tlie daughter of Captain Nicholas 
Harleston and his wife, Sarah Child, (who had died two 
years previously to the marriage — the captain lived 
until twelve years after,) of St. John's Parish, Berkeley. 
Mrs. Smith died on Sunday morning, the 26th of Marcli, 
1769, leaving the handsome widower of thirty-four, with 
their son Thomas, who had come into existence on the 
17th of September, 1760. He was baptized, and the 
deed registered in St. John's, by the Rev. Levi Durand. 
On the 20th of December, 1762, his sister Sarah was born. 
She, too, was made a Christian, and res^istered by the 
samedivine. On April-fool day 1765, was born theirsister, 
Mary (Hyrne.) She was baptized and registered by 
the Rev. Mr. James Harrison, of St. James, Goose 
Creek; died on the 9lh of September, 1768, aged three 
years, six months and eight days, and was placed 
within the family vault at Goose Creek Church, over 
which is a flat stone, with the following inscription : 

Here lies the body of 

Elizabeth Ann Smith, 

The amiable and deservedly 

Beloved wife of 

Captain Benjamin Smith; 

Who died on the 26th of March, 1769. 

Aged 27 years. 

Also, their daughter, 

Mary Smith; 

Who died September the 9th, 1768, 

Aged 3 years, 

5 months and 8 days. 

On tlie 8lh of April, 1773, (having been promoted in 
the ranks,) Major Benjamin Smith was married to 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 151 

Catharine, tlie second daughter of Mr. John Coming- 
Ball, of St. John's Parish, and his first wife, Catharine 
Gendron, of St. James, Santee. She died, witli her in- 
fant, on Wednesday morning, the 23d of February, 
1774 — having survived her marriage only ten months 
and fifteen days — at the age of twenty-three. Major 
Smith, on the 8th of August, 1775, was united to Sarah, 
the daughter of Mr. George Smith, of the " Palmettoes," 
on Cooper River, and his wife E^lizabeth, the daughter 
of Ricliard and Florence Waring, of Pine Hill, in St. 
George's Parish. Benjamin, the son of Benjamin and 
Sarah Smith, was born on the 25th of July, 177G. He 
was baptized by the Rev. Edward Ellington, of St. 
James, Goose Creek. On the 7th of November, 1777, 
their Elizabeth Ann was born. She, too, was baptized 
by Mr. Ellington, and died on the 12th of September, 
1780. On the 16th of October that year, George Har- 
leston was born and made a Christian by Mr. Ellington. 
Their daughter Sarah Elizabeth was born on the 24th 
of October, 1782, baptized by Mr. Ellington. So also 
was their Catharine, who was born on the 27th of 
December, 1783. The mother and wife died at her 
father's house, in Charleston, on the 15th of August, 
1785. E. A. Harleston, the first wife, was born on the 
22d of April, 1742, and lived to be twenty-six years, 
eleven months and four days. Mary Hyrne, the widow 
of the second Landgrave, Thomas Smith, died on the 
9th of INovember, 1776. About the year 1787 Benja- 
min Smith married his fourth wife, Rebecca, the widoAV 
of Benjamin Coachman, Esq., of Goose Creek. He 
died on the 22d of July, 1790, at the age of fifty-five. 
She long survived him, and spent the latter part of her 
life in Q,ueen street, west of King, in the house after- 



152 OUR forefathers; 

■wards occupied by her daughter, Mrs. James Gadsden, 
and family. 

We will now retrograde to Thomas, the first child of 
Benjamin and E. A. Smith, who was born 1760, and was, 
on the 16th of December, 1788, of a Thursday, married 
to Esther, the daughter of General James Screven, the 
second son of Mr. James Screven and his wife Mary, 
the daughter of Henry Smith, Esq., and Mary Hyrne. 
You will, therefore, see that the young couple were 
second-cousins. General Screven married a daughter 
of Mr. Charles Odingsell, of Edisto Island, a leading 
Baptist gentleman. You shall have the contents verba- 
iim of an autograph letter of the 10th of July, 1778, 
from that lady to her daughter. Miss Esther Screven, 
who was attending school in Charles Town, South Caro- 
lina. She, you have just been told, afterwards became 
Mrs. Thomas Smith. Let us read the letter: 

"My dear Hetty, — I liave repeatedly wrote to you, but 
have Received no letters unlill this evening. Yours of 
the 8th of June came safe to hand with the ruffles., I 
thank you, my Dr, for the Present ; they need no Apo- 
logy ; but you cant be sensible of the anxious thoughts 
your silence has given me. I concluded that you had 
yopr tooth drawn and your jawbone broke, ware lying 
under the languishing of it, was the cause of your not 
writing to us, and would have sent from Savannah to 
know what was the reason ; but your Papa prevailed 
with me not, thinking we should hare from you soon ; 
only consider, near 5 months, and but one letter. 

" My Child, pray write often. Your Papa left me the 
17th June for the Floriday expedition, and on the 1st of 
July had an Ingagemcnt with the Enemy; he had but 
90 men with him, and came up with 550, and fought for 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 153 

half an liower, and tlien Retreated to the mane Army 
witli tlie loss of one man, and 4 wounded ; he had Hec- 
tor with him, and the poor boy was so friglited, all thou 
he was out of danger, and his master ordered liini off, iliat 
he quited his horse, and Jay flat on his face by the side 
of a stump, and the Enemy came up and took him. I 
dont suppose we shall ever get him again ; that los is 
but trifling, my Dr Hetty, if your Papa is but Return in 
safety to us, I shall be satisfied. Please to give my 
love to Cousin Williams, and Return her my sincere 
thanks for her goodness to you. I dont know how we 
shall ever make amends for her many kindness to you. 
Pray be very obliging. Give my love to cousin beckey, and 
Cousin Sally, The homespun is not done yet ; the yarn 
has been at the Weavers this 3 months. I have sent 
you some old linen, and half a yard of new muslin, and 
would be glad to know how you are of for shifts, in your 
next letter; and how you come on in your ghittar ; give 
my love to sisters Baker and Screven — your Uncle Scre- 
ven and children, all inquiring Relatives and friends. 
Your Uncle Allen was with your papa, and had 2 balls 
through his canteen, that was hung to his side, and the 
horse that he was on, killed." We have deeply to re- 
gret the loss of the finishing of this noble, patient and 
forgiving lady's letter to her thoughtless child, especially 
the absence of her signature. We will conjecture that 
Esther was from thirteen to fourteen years of age ; learn- 
ing not only music and fancy-work. We know, because 
on record, that her brother, the Rev, Charles Odingsell 
Screven, was born 1774, then only four. In 1780, at the 
age of twelve, he was baptised in Charleston, by Dr. 
Furman, commenced preaching at Sunbury, in Liberty 
county, Georgia, in 1803, was twice married, and died 
on the 2d of July, 1830, of a cancer in his eye, aged 



154 OUR forefathers; 

fifty-six years. Esther, his sister, had died on the 24th 
of December, 1801, supposed to be about thirty-six years 
of age. The three grandsons, called by Mary Hyrne, of 
ghost celebrity, her foster-children, were Col. Thomas 
Screven, who first married the daughter of the Rev. 
Oliver Hart, the Baptist minister, and afterwards the 
widow Gibbs; he survived the Revolution several years; 
his son Thomas was united to Miss Maulsy (Mary), the 
daughter of Mr. Archer Smith — he had also two daugh- 
ters. Gen. James Screven, who married Miss Odingsell, 
and was shot, 1779, by a party of Tories and Indians, 
near Medway Meeting-house, Liberty county, Georgia. 
He bore his father's name; liis grandmother survived 
her daughter Mary, his mother, eighteen years, having 
the care of her children. Captain Benjamin Screven 
also left a family. The two girls were Barbary and 
Martha, who intermarried with Roberts and Judon, ac- 
cording to tradition, but we cannot vouch for its truth. 
Brave men were those brothers ! The memory of their 
deeds will never fail to stir the patriot's heart. 

But they have all gone — for thus continually must the 
bright links drop from the golden chain which bound the 
present with the past. Pardon the remark, yet its truth 
cannot be denied, that phrenologists would find few 
subjects amongst the rising generation in whom the 
organ of veneration is much developed. Children were 
to be then trained to habits of obedience and respectful 
attention to their superiors in those early times of which 
we write. Take, for example, the following letter from 
the Christian soldier, and faithful parent. Gen. James 
Screven, to his youthful daughter, couched in affection- 
ate, yet positive language : 

'< September 2d, 1778. 
" My dear Child, — This you will receive by your 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 155 

Uncle Benjamin, and I hope to be favoured a letter 
from you by his return if you have not forg^ot us entirely. 
You must take care and not neglect us, for it is possi- 
ble we may forget we have such a child as you, for it is 
certainly not so unnatural for parents to forget their 
children, as it is for children to forget their parents. I 
will not allow of the least slight or neglect from you. I 
will make no allowance for childish follies, and careless- 
ness as an excuse for your not writing. You certainly 
may find opportunities to write by, if you thought much 
of us. However, I will leave you without an excuse, by 
informing you that a post leaves regularly from Charles- 
Town to Savannah; that post-office you must inquire 
for; get some body to inquire for you at Will's, 
and they will inform you. That post you must weekly 
write by. I suppose you will be miffed at this as you 
were at the last letter I wrote you, and say Papa has 
grown quite cross, and scolds at me in every letter he 
writes me. My dear Child, your Papa is solicitous 
about your happiness, and is afraid you give too much 
into that thoughtless kind of pleasure that girls of your 
age almost always fall into ; he thinks so from your 
not writing oftener; and when you do, it seems to be 
hurried over in a neglectful manner. I am not an 
enemy to pleasure, but let it be reasonable, modest 
and decent, and by no means to draw your attention 
from your education — that is the grand object you 
should not lose sight of one moment, considering your 
time for acquiring knowledge passes away very fast, and 
once gone, can not be recalled. Your Mama has been 
extreamly ill, both before and since I wrote you last ; 
she is yet but in a poor state of health. ^lyself has not 
been well since I came from the expedition ; the 
children are well ; your Mama and they join in love and 



156 OUR forefathers; 

best wishes to you, with your affectionate Father^ James 
Screven." 

Here we have shown you parents standing upon their 
dignity, and commanding their child to live under pa- 
rental sway ; alas, how mournful the fact, that in less 
than tvv^o years after, that father's life was cut short by 
violence; but may we not trust that one of the most 
powerful stimulants to that daughter's future exertions 
for excellence of character, M^as the memory of that 
parent's counsels and rebukes ? An ardent patriot, and 
of the best Landgrave stock, a great-grandson, too, of 
that holy man of God, the Rev. William Screven, it was 
his hard fate to succumb to the arm of the murderous 
Tory and Indian. We pray that his descendants of any 
name, may, in every respect, be worthy of their heroic 
lineage, and hold position among our most eminent in 
patriotism and piety. And Esther Screven, having 
sedulously improved to the utmost, the advantages 
afforded her in early life, although the confusions of war 
rendered them extremely moderate, could take an honor- 
able station in society, as a wife and mother, governing 
her household with discretion, without any improper ex- 
ercise of power; whilst her husband, by industry in 
agricultural pursuits, at Howe Hall, on Goose Creek, 
sustained himself and family comfortably. 

Theirs was a reasonably early marriage, considering 
the unsettled state of the country for years after the war 
had ceased. Preparing for themselves no great disap- 
pointments, by too highly raised expectations, they 
calmly enjoyed as much fulness of domestic bliss as 
earthly life usually affords. In 1788, at the age of 
twenty-three, she plighted her steadfast faith to a man 
of twenty-eight, whose integrity was second to that of 
no one in the land, he was ever scrupulously honorable. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 157 

As you have read, Thomas Smith was married to Esther 
Screven, on Thursday, the 15ih of December, 17b8. 
Their daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born Thursday 
morning, the SOth of October, 1789 ; she died Thursday 
evening, 12th of April, 1790. Mary Baker was born 
Monday night, 1st of February, 1791, and died Thurs- 
day, in November, 1792. Benjamin James was born 
on Saturday, about six o'clock in the evening, 17th of 
August, 1793. Thomas John was born 27th of Decem- 
ber, 1795; he died on the 31st of January, 1835, aged 
forty years, one month and four days, prepared for the 
change which removed him to a higher sphere. We 
will speak of his marriage, &c., on another page. 

Thomas lost his Esther on the 21th of December, 
1801, after an union of thirteen years. After that he 
married Mary, a daughter of Dr. John Buchanan, and 
finally Mrs. Frances Baker, (originally Miss Withers.) 
He lived to the 25th of July, 1821, and died at the age 
of sixty years, ten months and four days. At the time 
of his death there were three of his children living — one 
by each of his marriages. Thomas John, Catharine, 
(the wife of Dr. James C. Kennerly, formerly of Colum- 
bia, South Carolina, now of Russellville, Kentucky — 
they have a family of promising sons and an only 
daughter) — Charlotte Elizabeth, who died before reach- 
ing maturity, was the issue of the third and last mar- 
riage. He was a man familiar with trouble, but his end 
was peaceful, and his reward secure. 

According to promise, we will return to speak of his 
son. Captain Thomas John Smith, who, in early man- 
hood, was united to Elizabeth Ann Brown, the eldest 
daughter of Francis Clarion Barnett, Esq., who, at one 
time, represented one of the lower parishes, (Christ 
Churcli or St. Thomas's,) in the Legislature of the State. 



158 OUR forefathers; 

This union was celebrated on the 26th of April, 1827. 
Their Esther Ann (named after her two grandmothers), 
was born January the 18th, 1828, prematurely; died 
September lOth, 1828 — aged seven months. Her parents 
were married in Darlington District, at the house of 
Colonel B, Du Bose. Their son Thomas Harleston Bar- 
nett, was born the 25th of June, 1829, and died on the 
31st of July, 1833 — aged four years, one month and five 
days. John James Screven was born the 20th of August, 
1831, consequently not yet thirty years of age, yet of 
importance in the world as a husband and father, for he 
was married on the 23d of August, 1854, at the age of 
twenty-three, to Eliza Margaret, a daughter of Colonel 
R. R. Spann, of Sumter District, South Carolina. They 
have had Alice-Beatrice, Thomas Harleston, Mary- 
Elizabeth and Benjamin Screven. The first was born 
2Istof October, 1855; died 14th of July, 1856. The 
second was born on the 8th of February, 1857. The 
third, on the 18th of April, 1858. The fourth was born 
on the 12ih of July, 1859. 

Landgrave Thomas, the fourth and last child of Capt. 
T. J. Smith, was born on the 4th of February, 1834. 
Their mother intermarried with Dr. Henry Isaac Abbot, 
of Sumter District, South Carolina, (their post-ofFice is 
Flowerton.) They have three Abbotts — Henry-Taylor, 
Theodosia Elizabeth and Frances. 

Mr. J. J. S. Smith, as the elder brother, heirs the 
portraits of his great-grandmother, the beautiful Eliza- 
beth Ann Smith, and also that of her father. Captain 
Nicholas Harleston, represented in the British uniform, 
which is explained by the simple fact that the portraits 
were drawn before the War of Independence, by that 
master artist, Mr. Simeon Theus, who copied so many 
in the family, from 1750 to 1775, which is the latest 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 159 

known of his labors. To Mr. L. T. Smith, tlie younger 
brother, we are indebted for tlie repairs done to the 
faniil)^ vault at St. James Church, on Goose Creek, so 
tiiankfully mentioned by Dr. George Pelzer, in liis late 
valuable articles published in the Courier, and which 
we hope to see put forth in a more enduring shape or 
pamphlet form, to perpetuate the memory of a church 
which continues to be one of the prettiest of all the 
antiquities in the Low Country — with its fine tesselated 
aisles, mahogany pews and carved work, most admira- 
bly executed ; and surrounded by dense woods and 
deeply shaded roads. But we sorrow for the neglected 
grave-yard, when we look around upon our beautiful 
city cemeteries, whose fiower-crowned graves remind us 
ever of departed connexions, and of our own solemn 
awaiting destiny. In concluding our account of this 
youngest branch of the Landgrave's family, I desire to 
bring you further acquainted with two of its members 
who have taken up their abode at Fox-trap Prairie, 
Noxubee county, Mississippi. J. J. S. Smith, of whose 
marriage with Miss Spann you have already been in- 
formed, is a gentleman quiet and unobtrusive by nature ; 
yet is his heart the seat of the purest principles of recti- 
tude and honor — a specimen of God's noblest work, an 
honest man. With a heart replete with piety and 
patriotism, he looks gratefully back upon a long line of 
worthy ancestors — a subject which, from his boyhood to 
the present time, has been one of peculiar and absorb- 
ing delight to him; and it has been one of the dearest 
and most cherished dreams of his life, to become wor- 
thy of and to imitate them. To his mind there is some- 
thing so sweet and gratifying to feel that no one can 
point to a single blot upon the fair fame and honor of 
his predecessors, that he is highly ambitious for his 



100 OTTR forefathers; 

children to have the love and veneration for him, when 
he too shall be numbered with the dead, that he has ever 
entertained for his Forefathers. Proud of his ancestors, 
he loves to honor their memories, and for that reason the 
soil of South Carolina must ever remain sacred to him, 
for in her lies buried all that links him to the past ; and 
although he is no longer a citizen of her, he can never 
forget his first love. On only one occasion he ever 
visited Goose Creek Church, then, indeed, were his 
thoughts busy with the past, as he reflected on the time 
when his fathers and mothers had worshipped there. 
To one of his sensitive nature, and over-wrought sensi- 
bilities, think what he must have endured at a sight of 
The Vault. There he stood alone with the sacred bones 
of his cherished ancestors exposed to view all around 
him, with little remnants of the coffins in small frag- 
ments. Overawed and heart-sick, he gently gathered 
them all up, laid them in one corner and covered them 
over with leaves. Harrowing as was the sight, how far 
greater the sound, when subsequently informed that the 
stranger and the thoughtless had not only viewed those 
sacred relics with merriment, but that they had been 
carried away by visitors for their shops and other pur- 
poses. Then flashed over him the memory of his father, 
who, during his life, had taken the utmost care of the 
vault, as he had been told by his mother, for he was 
only four years of age at his death. 

The next thought was that of real satisfaction, that 
his pious, honored parent, had been laid to rest on his 
plantation, on North Santee, where he had fallen asleep 
in the Lord Jesus. He is the fortunate possessor of an 
ancient Bible, containing the family record from the 
birth of Benjamin in 1735, or beyond. It has thrice 
been bound, and now solicits a fourth cover, and we 



THEIR HOMKS AND THEIR CHURCHES. 101 

pray that it may descend to the latest generation, the 
treasured heirloom of a faithful Smith. He is also 
blessed with extensive knowledge of the Barnett, or ma- 
ternal line of liis family. And convinced, as we are, 
that it will afford you an infinite deal of pleasure to be- 
come acquainted with L. T. Smith, j'ou shall be intro- 
duced to him or he to you, since, be assured, that in every 
possible way, it is our desire to promote not only your 
welfare and happiness, which must ever conduce to our 
own, and that of your many other friends, but we ear- 
nestly covet to please and gratify you all. This young 
gentleman graduated three years ago at the South Caro- 
lina College, with buoyant hopes of becoming distin- 
guished as a professional man, but the fondly cherished 
desire has been defeated by a too delicate constitution, 
and led him to the adoption of an occupation most likely 
to secure health, competency and happiness. As a 
planter in Noxubee county, Miss., he flatters himself 
that by economy and industry, should fortune favor him 
with good crops and prices, he will be enabled to over- 
come his present difficulties, after which flattering pros- 
pects will rise before him. Yet oh, how can we ever 
cease to regret the necessity which could drive him from 
his own dear native South Carolina, declared to be 
amongst the Stales what the Chevalier Bayard was 
amongst men. Take here a description of his new home 
in the montli of January, and confess that you would 
not consent to live in it three hours. We are taking it 
for granted that you have never seen a western prairie 
during the winter season, and that therefore you cannot 
conceive of its horrors, especially for ladies. The roads 
become impassable, except for ox- wagons and heavy 
teams of mules. You, my fair readers, could not go 
out of the house. The men put on heavy mud-boots, 
13 



162 OITR rOREFATHERS ; 

which they change at the door on coming in again, or 
else carry mud all over the house. Preaching ceases at 
the various places of worship, and all social intercourse 
is at an end, until summer suns harden the roads and 
render the country the most delightful in the world. 
This is known to be the general character of the prai- 
ries and Fox-trap, acknowledged the muddiest in the 
whole West. The lands are fertile, however, and con- 
sidering their fertility, moderately healthy. The inhab- 
itants use lime-water, for which they sometimes bore 
through the rocks to the depth of several hundred feet. 
Theirs is essentially a farming or planting country, cot- 
ton grows finely and engages almost the entire attention 
of tlie people. Mobile is a stirring place of business. 
The Alabama and Tombeckbee Rivers are thronged with 
boats in the winter season, which do a good business by 
carrying down cotton and returning with freight. The 
Mobile and Ohio Railroad runs through the country, and 
is now commencing to do a good business. Wages are 
higher than on the roads in Carolina, which has induced 
some gentlemen to forsake their home and go there. 
These young brothers Smith, liv^e between the river and 
the railroad, about six miles from the Tombeckbee, and 
twelve from the Mobile and Ohio Railroad ; and but 
for the mud, they would prefer it to any country that 
they have ever seen ; but the gloomy realities of winter 
chill enjoyment, and summer's charms are made less by 
anticipation, and our ingenuous young bachelor friend 
is free to confess, that it is not probable that he would 
be in such a place now, or that, being there, he would 
remain long, were it not that a chain stronger in its na- 
ture than iron or steel, binds hi?n to the spot — the mystic 
chain of Love. Pardon him, fair ladies, for has he not 
just attained the age when " love is heaven, and heaven 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 



103 



is love," and to him, at least, the two are synonymous 
and dwell in the same place. Nor can you conscien- 
tiously believe tliat even our glorious and discreet Wash- 
ington would ever have cautioned young people doomed 
to exist on western prairies against "entangling alli- 
ances." Think how, after a day of active employment, 
the youth enjoys the companionship of a loving wife, 
possessing in a high degree the grace of gentleness so 
becoming to her sex. With a bright smile she has wel- 
comed him to tlieir home, which she strives to render 
the abode of peace, cheerfulness, kindness and love, 
where the worn-out man's happy soul may renew its 
strength for the labors and troubles of life, aided by 
the stimulus and advice of her whom he so much loves 
and respects, his chosen one. Remember, my young 
friends, that a wife is not always expected to be one of 
the most brilliant talkers, yet, by her cheerful demeanor, 
graceful attentions and subdued voice, she is to contri- 
bute her share towards the passing away the long winter 
evenings socially and pleasantly. Hers may not be the 
symmetrical form and model waist, which had at first 
excited admiration, yet, she can never be devoid of in- 
terest whilst mental and moral charms continue to exist. 
She has traits of amiableness which even age can never 
sweep away. Even through long spells of ill health 
her taste for books often remains unimpaired, and with 
her womanly heart filled with sentiments of sympathy, 
kindness and affections, she lives and dies ^' God's last 
best gift to man." Like a.bee, she is a pattern of indus- 
try; if she fill her appointed sphere, taking cognizance 
of the household affairs vigilantly, whilst her lord with 
his superior mental powers, or his fine business capa- 
city, goes forth as the bread-winner for the family. And 
how should the sound of his footstep, and the tones of 



164 OUR forefathers; 

his voice, be met by a countenance beaming with can- 
dor and attention, to reward his out-door toil and buffelings 
by contact with the busy world abroad. And had we an 
iron voice which could ring through the whole land, we 
would uplift it to warn the wife that few men can long 
endure bad domestic influence; for they have not suffi- 
cient of the divine nature to enable them to do so — it is 
by the correctness of her own life that she must lead 
him; it is religion alone that can make any one consis- 
tent — religion the only unchanging source of moral har- 
mony. 

Adieu ! may earth's purest honors and Heaven's rich- 
est blessings attend you all. Thus prays your sincere 
friend, The Ancient Lady. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 165 



LETTER IX. 

Charleston, March 6th, 1860. 
My Dear Young Friends, — We know, and are made 
to feel, that American aristocracy is often the subject of 
merriment to our trans-Atlantic brethren. We are told 
that — 

'■ Of all the noble things on earth, 
The queerest one, is pride of birth, 

Among our fierce dernocracie. 
A bridge across a hundred years, 
Without a prop to save from sneers — 
Not even a couple of rotten peers — 
A thing for laughter, scorn and jeers, 

Is American aristocracy. 

English and Irish, French and Spanish, 
German, Italian, Dutch and Danish, 
Crossing their veins until they vanish 

In one conglomeration. 
So subtle a tangle of blood, indeed. 
No heraldry Harvey will ever succeed. 

In finding the circulation." 

And yet, defying, or laughing to scorn their taunts, we 
will proceed to write of ''Nature's noblemen," and no 
less " noble women." There are fastidious persons who 
affect not to desire a knowledge of " Their Forefathers," 
whilst we delight to rescue from oblivion the memory of 
ours ; ever ready, pen in hand, to render a just tribute 
to the many virtues of our noble Dutch, English, Scotch 



106 OUR FOREFATHERS 3 

and French progenitors. Counting back for almost two 
centuries, they call up no blush upon my aged cheeky 
they send not a pang to my anxious heart; such is my 
taste, but I confess myself oi^/re in all respects. 

We have the authority of IVTr. Thomas Gaillard, now 
of Alabama, for saying that the Lieutenant-General of 
Languedoc, in a letter to the King, in the year 1560, 
called those whom he entitled " riotous Calvanist of tlie 
Cevennes," Huguenots ; and this is believed to have 
been the first ap'plicalmn of the term, just three hundred 
years ago. Huguenot is a synonym of the Flemish 
word Heghenen, or Hug-ue-nen, which means a Puri- 
tan. Amongst those who resided in the Parish of St. 
Denis, were the following : Bineau, Boisseau, Bonneau, 
Boudinot, Douxaint^^^urprej^Dutart, Guerard, La Pierre, 
Le Jeau, Lesesne, Lenoir, Martien, Moze, Peyre, Poite- 
vin, Roche, Rembert, Simons, Tissot, Thomas, and Vi- 
deaux. Cornelius and Josias Dupre, who were brothers, 
are supposed to have arrived in the colony soon after the 
Revocation of the Edict of Nantz. Josas Dupre, Jr., son 
of the above-mentioned Josias, and common ancestor of 
the several families here referred to, must have been a 
native of France, as he was one of sixty-three refugees 
who petitioned the Legislature, in 1690, for the rights of 
citizenship. The sons of Josias Dupre, the younger, 
were Josias, who married Anne Mouzon. Elizabeth, a 
sister of Anne, intermarried with Peter Sinkler. Their 
daugiiter was the wife of Samuel Du Bose, Sen., of St. 
Stephen's Parish. Anne, a daughter of Josias Dupre 
and Anne iVIouzon, intermarried with Charles Gaillard, 
son of Theodore Gaillard and Margaret Serre. Their 
descendants are extremely numerous, and may be now 
traced in the Gaillards of Pendleton District, South Caro- 
lina, and of Tippah countij, Mississippi. Also, in the 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 167 

McGregors, Bowens and Reeses, of Chambers county, 
Alabama, and in the Doziers of Georgetown, South Car- 
olina. Benjamin, son of Josias and Anne Dupre, mar- 
ried Mary McClellan, of St. James's Parish, (Santee,) 
and has numerous descendants'! ficnry Mouzon, who 
published a map of the Parish of St. Stephen's, was a 
brother of Anne and Elizabeth Mouzan. Lewis Dupre, 
second son of Josias, the younger, married Miss Ballon, 
of Brunswick, N. C. His descendants may be traced, 
also, in the Gaillards of Pendleton, Pickens, or Ander- 
son ; and in the Du Pre's of Raleigh, North Carolina. 
Danuel Du Pre, son of Josias, Jr., married Miss Nor- 
man. He left one child, Samuel Du Pre, who, although 
a youth during the Revolutionary War, distinguished 
himself by his patriotic zeal and intrepidity. Judge 
William Dobein James, in his life of Gen. Marion, and 
in the historical sketch of the campaign of 1780, says : 
"Two boys, Francis G. Deliesselinc and Samel Du Pre, 
had the boldness to undertake, and did recover, fourteen 
of White's cavalry horses from the British, and delivered 
them to Major Jameison, in Georgetown, refusing to re- 
ceive the reward offered for them." 

Samuel married a sister of Benjamin Allston, of Wac- 
camaw, Georgetown District, South Carolina. His son 
Daniel became a pious and zealous minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in his native State. His 
elder daughter, Rebecca Allston, intermarried with 
James E. German, of the Parish of St. James (Santee). 
His youngest daughter, Mary, intermarried with James 
J. White. Many of the elder branches of the Du Pres 
were ingenious and skillful in the mechanic arts. Lewis, 
son of Josias the younger, was both a ship-builder and 
mill-wright. His improvements in the construction of the 
rice machinery, for preparing that grain for market, were 



168 OUR forefathers; 

considered of inestimable value, and universally adopted 
by planters then engaged in the culture of that staple 
commodity of South Carolina. Others of the family 
were house-builders. One table more for those who 
cherish an interest in the history of the exiled Hugue- 
nots, who sought an asylum in the infant colony of South 
Carolina, and we shall have done; unless hereafter 
tempted into another "Peep into the Past," by a gener- 
ous subscription. 

''Of David Peyre, the Huguenot emigrant, no record 
has been found which enables us to designate the period 
of his arrival in the colony, or the province of France, 
in which he resided. We suppose him to have been 
one of the colony planted on the eastern branch of 
Cooper River, in the Orange Gluarter. The name has 
recently become extinct by the death of Thomas Walter 
Peyre, the great-grandson of the emigrant. He suc- 
ceeded his father as proprietor of Spring Grove, and 
resided on it for some years; he afterwards removed to 
Brunswick, in St. John's, and spent his summers in Pino- 
polis in the same parish, where he died, in 1851, His 
virtues were celebrated in the sketch of Craven county, 
by Professor Frederick Porcher, of our city. The will 
of David Peyre is dated the 8th of April, 1734. He had 
then nine children living — four sons and five daughters. 
The will of Judith his wife, bears date December, 1754, 
and was witnessed by Alcimus Gaillard, James Bois- 
seau and Peter Sinkler. Rene Peyre, son of David and 
Judith, married, first, Fioride Bonneau, in 1743 ; second, 
Hannah Hazell, in 1753; third, Catharine Cleave, in 
1765. His children by the first marriage were, Judith, 
Mrs. John Gaillard ; Rene, whose wife was Elizabeth 
Cantey ; Fioride, who died single, at an advanced age. 
His children by the second marriage were, Anne, Mrs. 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 169 

Thomas Ashby ; and Francis, who married, first, Catha- 
rine Sinkler, second, Mary Peyre Walter, his second- 
cousin, daughter of the Botanist, Thomas Walter. Sam- 
uel Peyre, son of David and Judith, the emigrants, 
married Sarah Cantey. His only descendants are those 
of his daughter Anne, who intermarried with Thomas 
Walter. Jane Peyre, daughter of David and Judith, 
was Mrs. David Boisseau. Catharine Peyre, another 
daughter, intermarried with Rene Richebourg, son of the 
Rev. Claude Philippe de Richebourg, who succeeded 
Pierre Robert, in 1715, in the pastorship of the Hugue- 
not Church on the Santee. Rene's grand-daughter Eli- 
zabeth was married, in 1783, to Thomas Palmer ; her 
sister Catharine was the w^ife of O'Neal Gough Stevens. 
Judith, another daughter of David and Judith Peyre, 
the emigrants, intermarried with John Dubose. Lydia, 
the youngest child of the emigrants, was married, in 
1753 or 4, to Theodore, the son of Pierre Gaillard and 
of Elizabeth Le Clair, the emigrants. The mother's 
will of 1754 mentions her daughters, Jane Boisseau, 
Catharine Richebourg, Judith Dubose and the names of 
their children; she also refers to Lydia Gaiilard as 
lately married — she, a second wife. Her daughter Eli- 
zabeth was the second wife of Job, the brother of Gen. 
Francis Marion. They were the sons of Gabriel and 
grandsons of Benjamin Marion, the emigrant, by his 
first wife, Judith Baluet. Gabriel Marion intermarried 
with Esther, the daughter of Anthony Cordes, Un Me- 
decin, the ancestor of the several families inCarolina 
who bear that patronyn)ic, and one of the refugees who, 
it has been conjectured, arrived in 1686. He was a 
native of Beziers, Languedoc. James, his brother, died 
in 1758. Isaac, anolh«M- brother, resided and died in 
St. John's Berkly. John, the fourth of them, of whom 
13 



170 OUR forefathers; 

the only memorial that we have is the record of an in- 
ventory of his estate in the year 1757. The doctor died 
in January, 1712, in St. John's Parish. 

By permission we will take you back to Job Marion 
and his first wife, Elizabeth, the dauo;hter of Thomas 
and Mary Monck, of Monck's Corner, in St. John's. Of 
his second marriage we have the following record : 
<' Job Marion, of St. John's, widower, to Elizabeth Gail- 
lard, married in the dwelling-house of Theodore Gail- 
lard, Sen., of this parish, by license, this 14th day of 
December, 1702, by me Samuel Fenner Warren, Rector 
of this parish." "This marriage was solemnized be- 
tween us. Job Marion, and Elizabeth Gaillard, in the 
presence of her sister, Catharine Gaillard, and his bro- 
ther, Francis Marion." Job died in 1778; he had an 
only son by this union, Theodore Samuel, who married 
nis first-cousin, Charlotte, tlie widow Ashby, uiid a 
daughter, Lydia, who died young. Catharine, the wit- 
ness to her sister's marriao-e-certificate, in 1702, was, 
four years after that date, united to Col. Elias Bjill, of 
Wambaw, and moved, after the war, to England; she 
died in 1821, he in '22. By her father's second mar- 
riage, he had Capt. Peter Gaiilard, w^ho, after the war, 
married Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter Porcher, of Peru 
plantation, a lady to whom he had long been attached ; 
he was born at Wambaw, the home of his father, in 
1757; he left eight children, in 1883. His full brother 
was David, who married Joanna Dubose. There were 
six children by the first marriage. 

Judith Boisseau, the second wife of John Coming Ball, 
of Hyde Park, was the daughter of David Boisseau and 
Jane Peyre — she died in 1772. She was the great-grand- 
mother of Mrs. J. G. Shoolbred and her brother, Mr. W. 
J. Ball. We now design to give a genealogical sketch, 



THEIR HOMES AND THEIR CHURCHES. 171 

taking Dr. Francis Peyre Porcher back to bis emigrant 
Forefathers. His father was Mr. William Porcher, his 
grandfather was Thomas Porcher, his grandmother, 
Charlotte Mazyck; his great-grandfather Peter Porcher, 
his great-prandmoiher Elizabeth Cordes; his great- 
great-grandfather was also Peter Porcher, whose wife 
was Marianne Charlotte Gendron, daughter of Captain 
Philip Gendron and his wife Madeleine Chardon, the 
widow of Louis Pasquereau, of Tours. The doctor's 
mother was Isabella Peyre ; his maternal grandfather, 
Francis Peyre, and grandmother, Mary Peyre Waller. 
His great-grandfather (in one ascending line) was Rene 
Peyre, his wife was Hannah Hasell. This Rene was 
the son of David and Judith Peyre, the Huguenot emi- 
grants; in the other ascending line, from his grand- 
mother, Mary Peyre Walter. His great-grandfather, 
Thomas Waller, the celebrated botanist, and his great- 
grandmother. Anne Peyre. Of the ancestors of Thomas 
Walter, we have no information. Following from this 
point, the maternal line, his great-great-grandfather (the 
father of Anne Peyre above-mentioned) was Samuel 
Peyre, (the son of David and Judith Peyre, the Huguenot 
emifrrants,) and liis wife, Sarah Cantey, daughter of 
John and Anne Cantey, who, we suppose, were English 
emigrants. Our young physician has married Virginia, 
thp daughterof Mr. and Mrs. Watkins Leigh, of the Old 
Domain, and are blessed witli two pretty, smiling little 
lads, Leigh and Walter Peyre Porcher. Their father's 
strong and well-balanced mind, and genial friendly dis- 
position render him a general favorite with tlie ladies; 
whilst his firmness and devotion to his profession, and 
perseverance in all his undertakings, and blessed with 
a liberal education, we can do no less than proclaim him 
an estimable gentleman and valuable member of society. 



172 OUR FOREFATHERS. 

In his lady, we find admirable tact and self-possession, 
and cannot fail to love her for the frankness and simpli- 
city of her manners. 

Now, farewell; for our pen is about to take a long 
siesta, unless, indeed, any of our friends shall feel dis- 
appointed by the omission of })articular facts or families 
in whom they are interested; for which wo have no 
other apology to offer for the unintentional neglect, but 
want of space in this volume, since our natural bias is 
ever for a " Peep into the Past." This is our ninth and 
last letter; and we shall be happy to find, that there is 
luck in odd numbers, as says '^Rory O'Moore." 

And now, my dear young friends, at parting, let me 
remind you, that 

"Time is the warp of life, and let me tell 
The young, the fair, the gay, to weave it well ; 
Yes, time is but a meteor's glare, 
Tliat bids them for eternity prepare. 

Let us ever bear in mind, that 

"Time, with such a silent motion, 
Floats along on wings of air, 
To eternity's dark ocean, 

Burying all its treasures there^ 

Gratefully and affectionately, we subscribe ourself, 
Your faithful friend, 

The Ancient Lady. 



